Causes | Treatment | How to prevent
People with high blood sugar should be especially careful, because any minor scratch, let alone a fracture or injury, can lead to irreversible consequences.
Causes of poorly healing wounds
One of the characteristic signs of the disease is poorly healing wounds. The problem is caused by the fact that the patient’s body is weakened, the defenses of the immune system are reduced, therefore it is difficult to fight the infection, the inflammatory process.
Purulent processes are dangerous to health. Even a small injury heals first, and then cracks again and continues to fester due to an infection that has got inside.
Impaired blood circulation also affects the condition of the wound. This process is especially difficult on the lower limbs, which are prone to constant edema. Due to the severe drying of the skin and the weak regenerative abilities of the body, such a condition threatens with amputation of the fingers or legs.
Important! Since diabetes is accompanied by a prolonged increase in glucose, the condition of the vessels deteriorates significantly, it is necessary to take means to strengthen their walls.
Possible treatment
Correct treatment of wounds with diseases of the endocrine system does not allow the further development of the infectious process.
A wound on the skin of a diabetic of any size should be treated with an antiseptic, including:
- hydrogen peroxide;
- chlorhexidine.
The use of alcohol-containing antiseptics is not recommended for small cuts. In case of an increase in the patient’s temperature, pain and swelling in the damaged area, you should immediately consult a doctor. If an infection has joined the wound, a course of antibiotics is prescribed, an antibacterial ointment that draws out moisture.
Due to a chronic increase in blood glucose, patients develop diabetic neuropathy, a complication in which patients complain of the following symptoms:
- burning and discomfort in the legs;
- increased urination;
- tingling in the limbs;
- damage to nerve endings and changes in sensitivity to pain.
In such cases, in addition to drugs for external use, various antidepressants, anticonvulsants are prescribed. Amitriptyline is often used to combat diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy is characterized by a deterioration in the sensitivity of tissues to pain and high temperatures. To relieve severe pain and reduce the risk of other complications, carbamazepine is suitable for diabetes.
How to prevent complications of diabetes
A person with diabetes will have to constantly take special antioxidant agents to strengthen blood vessels. One of the most difficult to treat complications of the disease is the diabetic foot. These types of ulcers take a very long time to heal. In a neglected situation, gangrene develops, and a limb has to be amputated.
To prevent any wounds on the skin, follow these guidelines:
- Wear high-quality comfortable shoes, do not wear heels, tight shoes.
- Do not walk barefoot on grass, ground, always wear socks.
- Before going to bed, examine your body for minor injuries, scratches.
- Wash the skin only with special products with a neutral pH balance.
- Gels and soaps should not cause dry skin.
- Quit smoking as it impairs blood circulation.
- Do not wear tight underwear or other clothing.
- Protect yourself from burns and injuries.
- Use antiseptics even for minor cuts.
Complex treatment, balanced nutrition, taking vitamin complexes and wound healing ointments for diabetes mellitus will help restore health faster. If the treatment fails, the damaged areas are cleaned surgically.
Important! If the wound gets infected, it is much more difficult to treat it. In case of prolonged healing, fever, edema, you need to urgently seek medical help.
Constant care of your health, glucose control, proper nutrition for a diabetic is very important, because complications of the disease can become a threat to the patient’s life. Diabetes wound healing ointment is an integral part of treatment and should only be prescribed by a specialist. Even a small cut should not be overlooked in people with diabetes.