What the diabetic should do when injured
When a person with diabetes is injured, it is very important to pay attention to the injury, even if it appears very small or simple, as in the case of cuts, scrapes, blisters or calluses, because there is an increased risk that the wound will not heal properly and a serious infection.
- This treatment can be done at home immediately after the injury or as soon as a light bulb or hidden callus is discovered.
- For example.
- But in all cases.
- It is very important to see the dermatologist as soon as possible for the wound to be evaluated and appropriate treatment indicated.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that damages nerves and weakens the immune system over time, making the healing process difficult. In addition, because the body cannot use sugar, it builds up in tissues and facilitates the development of bacteria in wounds, increasing the risk and intensity of infections.
It’s important to be careful if there are changes in the skin of people with diabetes, such as:
If you have a callus, for example, you should never shave it or try to remove it at home, as it can cause severe bleeding or facilitate the development of a serious infection in the act. For example, a podiatrist should always be consulted to perform appropriate treatment and avoid complications that may lead to foot amputation.
Due to the high risk of injury infection or simpler situations such as cuts, blisters or calluses that are aggravated by deep skin ulcers, it is important to observe the site more than once a day, looking for signs such as severe redness, excessive swelling of the wound, bleeding or pus, and worsening of injury or lack of healing after 1 week.
For example, if any of these signs appear, it’s important to go back to your doctor or go to the emergency room to modify treatment and start using antibiotics that can be ingested or applied to your wound to facilitate healing and remove bacteria.
The most common cases of serious injuries occur in the feet, as the movement of the feet, which is necessary to heal the wounds, usually worsens over time. In addition, the use of tight shoes facilitates the appearance of calluses and sores, which can appear in barely visible places and go unnoticed, getting worse over time. To avoid such situations, see How to care for your diabetic foot.