Treating Diabetic Foot

It is important, as with any other complication, that you get treatment as quickly as possible if you find you have developed painful or blistered feet. Early treatment can help to prevent some of the more serious outcomes of diabetic foot. Once your foot has become blistered or ulcerated, the aim of treatment is to help your foot to repair whilst trying to preserve any normal tissue.

Infection with Diabetic Foot

The first major problem with foot injuries is infection. Your foot is particularly susceptible if you suffer from diabetes, as the blood supply can be poor. This coupled with the warm, moist environment of socks and shoes can lead to a rapidly progressing infection. If you notice that a wound on your foot has become infected, it is vital that you get rapid antibiotic treatment. The doctors will want to take swabs of the infected wound to make sure the right antibiotic is used to help combat the infection. If the wound is producing puss it must be drained, and the wound should be debrided (all the infected tissue is cut away). If the infection has spread to your bone, that too will be cut away.


Blood Supply to your Feet

The doctors must also asses how well blood is getting to your foot. They can do this by using a special probe called a Doppler ultrasound scan. If there is little blood getting to your foot you may require bypass surgery to correct this problem.

Pressure on your Feet

It is vital that should you develop an ulcer or blister that you try to keep as much pressure off the affected foot as possible. This is usually achieved by either wearing special insoles or shoes, or completely immobilising the affected foot in a plaster cast. After the foot has healed you may be required to wear special insoles to prevent the problem recurring. It is also essential that any corns or calluses be removed by a chiropodist. There are also some types of gel called hydrogels that can be put on ulcers to help them heal effectively.

Finally it is essential that your wound is redressed when needed and any other dressing be adequately discarded to prevent the infection from progressing or becoming worse.

Diabetic foot is one of the most common causes of hospital admission. If the blood supply to your foot is not sufficient the doctors may suggest an early amputation to prevent you from having to suffer through multiple infections and operations.

Should you notice that you are developing blisters or ulcers on your feet, you should consult your GP immediately.

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