After struggling for months to run without having pain, I realized that there might be something wrong with my feet. It just seemed like whenever I did any type of physical activity, I was burdened with stifling pain. It was annoying, but I knew that a podiatrist might be able to help. Sure enough, after meeting with a doctor, I learned more about what was causing the trouble. It turned out that I had pulled a tendon in my foot, which was causing all kinds of problems. This blog is all about getting your foot problems fixed once and for all.
One of the problems diabetics have is slow healing wounds. Another problem is peripheral neuropathy. When you combine the two, it is common for someone with diabetes to get a cut or wound on their feet that they do not notice until it has become infected. This is the main reason diabetics end up having toes or feet amputated and is the reason foot wound care is of the utmost importance. To reduce the chance of amputation, here are some wound care tips.
Inspect Your Feet Daily
Every day, take the time to look at your feet. Look them all over, being sure to check between and under the toes. If you have trouble seeing everywhere, ask a friend or family member to look for you. Make note of any cuts, abrasions, blisters, or red areas. If the wounds become inflamed, grow, become painful or infected, or do not begin to heal within a day or two, go see your doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become.
Use an Antibiotic Ointment
It would be a good idea to get a prescription from your doctor for an antibiotic ointment before you have any wounds on your feet. When you notice a cut, scrape, or another type of wound, apply the ointment and cover it with a bandage. The next day, remove the bandage, wash the area well, and inspect it again. Reapply the ointment and bandage and call the doctor if necessary.
Don't Make Matters Worse
Do not attempt to cut away any dead skin, remove a splinter, or dig out an ingrown toenail yourself. The odds are high that you will make the wound larger. In addition, if any tool you use has not been properly cleaned, you could be introducing bacteria into the wound. Go ahead with the previous tip and make an appointment for your doctor to handle the cutting.
Elevate Your Foot
Standing, walking, or running all put pressure on your feet and can limit blood flow to a wounded area. Not only will this slow down the healing process, it can also cause the tissue to die. In addition to staying off your feet, you should elevate them. This will help increase the blood flow.
Do not risk losing a toe, foot, or even a portion of your leg because of a small cut. Pay close attention to your feet. Keep them clean and dry, always wear some type of footwear, and care for any wound immediately. If you cannot get the wound to heal, get to a doctor.
Share31 July 2018
