2 Answers
Serious complications of diabetes can include foot ulcers. Related foot problems, such as injury, deformity, peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy, can occur as precursors for a foot ulcer. Foot ulcers need ongoing treatment in order to heal, the American Family Physician indicates. Intervention remains the best alternative to repeated sores on the feet. The first intervention consists of meeting with your doctor and agreeing on ways to prevent further sores on the feet. The doctor also can recommend a form of treatment.
Step 1
Elevate the foot and maintain relief of any pressure to the sore on the foot. Using assistive devices, such as a wheelchair and crutches, will help with this process. Special footwear, such as a cast shoe, will help keep the pressure off the foot and aid in healing the ulcer.
Step 2
Consult you doctor concerning surgical debridement of the ulcer. According to American Family Physician, medical treatment for an ulcer should include debriding, or medically removing tissue that has become infected, damaged or dead. This procedure will help new healthy skin grow. Debriding also provides a way to view the ulcer in order to treat any underlying infection or sinus tracts that may have developed under the dead skin.
Step 3
Clean the ulcer. An open foot ulcer needs to be keep clean and moist in order for it to heal. Normal saline dressings remain the type of healing environment that can heal ulcers. Gels and any forms of moisturizing topical medications do not prove as affective in healing foot ulcers as simple cleaning.
Step 4
Dress the ulcer appropriately, according to your doctor's instructions. Special dressings that cover the saline and keep moisture within the wound can provide care to foot ulcers. These include foams, hydrocolloids and semipermeable films.
Step 5
Apply engineered synthetic skin, such as becaplermin gel, to help expedite healing in neuropathic foot ulcer wounds, the American Family physician indicates. A doctor can explain how to use this medication and in what doses.
Step 6
Discuss skin grafts with your doctor. Skin grafts are another option depending on the type of foot ulcer involved. Foreskins removed from babies are used to produce the type of biologically-active implants used for the healing of ulcers. These types of grafts act as new skin for the ulcer and aid in the healing process, often making it much quicker than conventional means.
Step 7
Use antibiotics prescribed by your doctor for infections. When infected wounds present themselves, the doctor may order antibiotic treatment. Broad spectrum antibiotics help kill bacterial infections that grow within the ulcer. The physician may order such antibiotics as cephalexin, clindamycin, ampicillin and amoxicillin.
Things You'll Need
Foot dressing
Antibiotics
Cast wound shoe
Crutches
Wheelchair
References
American Family Physician: Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Prevention, Diagnosis and Classification
American Family Physician: Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Pathogenesis and Management
MayoClinic.com: Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet
MedlinePlus: Diabetes- foot ulcers
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Becaplermin Topical
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/171156-how-to-treat-a-diabetic-foot-ulcer/#ixzz2LUwWmG00
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