Preventing Diabetic Foot Wounds

14 Jul Preventing Diabetic Foot Wounds

Did you know that the number one reason that diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections?  Great Neck Family Foot Care offers the highest quality diabetic foot care for patients in Nassau County. We want you to be informed about diabetic foot wounds and how to prevent them.

People suffering with diabetes are hit with a triple whammy when it comes to foot wounds that greatly increase the chance of a serious foot infection:

• Diabetes can decrease the body’s immune system, making it easier to contract and then fight an infection.
• Diabetes damages the nervous system which results in patients not being able to feel pain and discomfort normally. Levels of sweat and oil secretions that help lubricate the skin are also decreased, creating a scenario where skin on the foot is more likely to break down or develop sores as the result of normal activity like walking.
• Lastly, damage to blood vessels is common in diabetes. Decreased blood flow to a wound makes it harder to heal. When a wound takes a long time to heal, a bacterial infection can develop and spread to muscles, connective tissue, and bones and gangrene can set in. The worst case scenario when antibiotics fail is amputation.

Our board certified podiatrists, Alec Hochstein, DPM and Dr. Diana Gagliano and their team, specialize in diabetic limb salvage. Utilizing an aggressive approach that includes working with other top specialists in the field of limb salvage, they have been successful in the prevention of many unnecessary limb amputations. What are some ways to ensure good foot health in diabetic patients?

• First and foremost, maintain the best possible control of your diabetes.
• Check your feet daily for sores, redness, or irritation; early detection is critical for successful treatment.
• Keep feet clean and moisturize if dry.
• Make sure footwear fits properly without rubbing or pinching.
• Minimize the amount of time feet are bare and take care when walking to avoid objects that may cut or bruise the foot.
• Have your feet regularly examined by your podiatrist.

If despite all your precautions you experience any of the following: injury to the foot or leg, constant pain in the foot, blisters, redness (including red streaks radiating from a wound), warmth, swelling, numbness, or a fever (even a low grade one), call our office immediately at (516) 482-5999 for an appointment.