Diabetic? What To Do If You Injure Your Foot
A foot injury may heal properly for most people that are not diabetic, especially with the right type of care and proper treatment, but if you are a diabetic, the treatment may be more severe and the healing time may be doubled or tripled. As a diabetic, caring for your feet is the utmost priority, so if you end up with an injury of any kind, it should be reported to your podiatrist, or to your diabetes physician. If you have an injury, there may be things you can do to help heal it properly on your own. Read on for some of the care tips you should be aware of in the event of an injury.
Apply Antiseptic Ointment
Use an antiseptic ointment on your injury to prevent bacteria and other germs from causing an infection of your foot or the injured area. This is an area that is going to see a lot of bacteria, especially from foot sweat, your shoes, or even from your socks, so it's important to apply the antiseptic ointment. Keep a close eye on it when applying the ointment to ensure you don't see any ulcers or other concerning issues, such as an infection already setting in. If you notice anything suspicious or concerning, report it to your physician.
Keep It Covered When Necessary
Keep the wound covered, clean, and dry when necessary, such as when out and about. You don't want it exposed to the elements and risk infection, so apply the antiseptic ointment and keep it covered. If you are out walking, keep it covered, but try to rest your feet whenever possible to prevent reopening or worsening the wound, depending on where it is located on your foot. When you are at rest, keep the wound uncovered and allow air to get to it so it can heal properly.
Change Bandages Often
Be sure to change the bandages often on your wound. Do not keep using the same bandage over and over without checking what is underneath it. If you allow the same bandage to cover your wound and don't check it, it could very well be infected already. Change your bandages often, clean the wound, and keep it dry.
If you have a foot injury, you need to be sure to report it to your podiatrist and to your diabetic physician. Keep a close eye on it and treat it properly to prevent an infection from setting in. Contact a local doctor to learn more about diabetic foot care.
