If you are diabetic, a minor injury sustained by a healthy person can have serious consequences for you, so good wound care is essential.
Some common wounds, small everyday cuts and scrapes can increase the risk of complications in people with diabetes due to slowed circulation and weakened perception (neuropathy).
Wound self-care in people with diabetes
You are the first line of defense against wound complications. If you are a diabetic, you need to have the following items on hand for proper wound care:
- Lotion: It doesn’t need to be a very specific prescription lotion, just a simple lotion that will prevent dryness and cracking in your feet. The key is to apply it regularly.
- Saline: available by prescription or use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound.
- Antifungal cream: for tinea pedis or other fungal infections.
- Triple antibiotic cream: for dressing wounds or abrasions.
- Sterile gauze pack: for wrapping wounds.
- Phone number: to contact your local wound care center or doctor.
Cleaning the wound as soon as possible, dressing it with antibiotics, and covering it with gauze are important steps in diabetic wound care, but it doesn’t stop there. Even minor injuries and foot ulcers should be examined by a wound care specialist within seven days.