Diabetes often causes complications in the form of ulcers in the legs. If diabetes foot care is not done properly, these ulcers will get worse quickly due to poor blood circulation. Therefore, diabetics need to really understand how to treat feet and ulcers in the legs.
Handling by a doctor needs to be done when ulcers appear or just sores on the feet of diabetics. If left unchecked, ulcers can spread and cause damage to tissue and bone, so the patient needs to undergo amputation.
Not only after ulcers arise, diabetes foot care also needs to be done even though there are no injuries to the feet. The aim is to prevent the emergence of wounds that are difficult to heal and have the potential to become ulcers.
Proper Diabetes Foot Care
For diabetics, caring for the feet is very important to prevent ulcers. There are some foot care tips that diabetics need to know, namely:
1. Check the condition of the foot every day
The feet of diabetics need to be examined once a day to see any abnormalities, such as redness, blisters, cracked skin, or swelling. If it is difficult to reach your feet, use a mirror to see the entire foot down to the sole. Place a mirror on the floor if it is too difficult to handle, or ask someone for help.
2. Wash feet with warm water and use a moisturizing cream
Wash your feet with warm water (not too hot) once a day, then dry the feet, especially between the toes, with a soft towel or cloth. After that, use a moisturizing cream to keep the foot skin soft.
3. Do not treat wounds without consulting a doctor
To avoid injury to the skin, do not use nail files, nail clippers, or liquid medicine to remove warts or calluses on the feet. To be safe, consult with your doctor first.
4. Don't go barefoot and trim your toenails carefully
To prevent injury to the feet, do not go barefoot, even when on the move at home. Also, don't cut your nails too deep or ask someone else for help if you can't cut your own nails.
5. Wear socks that are clean, dry, and absorb sweat
Wear socks with materials that absorb sweat easily, such as cotton. Do not use socks made of nylon and socks with rubber that is too tight, because it can reduce air circulation in the legs.
6. Use shoes of the right size
Use shoes that are comfortable and have pads for your heels and arches. Avoid using narrow shoes or high heels. If one leg is bigger than the other, don't force it to wear shoes that are the same size left and right. Choose shoes that are the right size for each foot.
Treatment of ulcers in the feet of people with diabetes
If there are ulcers or just sores on the feet, diabetics need to immediately consult a doctor. The doctor or surgeon will provide treatment for ulcers and wounds in the legs so they do not spread. The doctor can also carry out further examinations with X-rays or Doppler ultrasound to check for further diabetes complications.
Treatment of ulcers or sores on the feet due to diabetes is not only done by doctors, but also needs to be done independently by sufferers. The doctor will teach you how to treat diabetes feet, so that patients can take care of themselves at home.
The following are some steps in the treatment of foot ulcers that need to be done by diabetics:
- Wash your hands properly with soap and running water, before you treat diabetic foot ulcers.
- Open the bandage slowly. If the bandage sticks to the skin, give an IV solution containing saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) to wet the bandage, to make it easier to remove.
- Use disposable gloves when cleaning ulcers.
- Clean the ulcers with gauze that has been moistened with saline solution, from the middle to the edge of the ulcer. Do not do re-cleaning with the same gauze.
- Use a new dry gauze to dry the ulcers that have been cleaned.
- Cover ulcers with a bandage recommended by a doctor.
Treatment of ulcers and wounds in the legs of diabetics needs to be handled properly, because if not, infection and tissue death can occur, so amputation is needed.
You should be vigilant if ulcers begin to blacken, smell, or discharge from the pus. If you experience this condition, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
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