A diabetes injury is not something that should be over looked. Diabetics often have poor circulation and lack of sensation, particularly in their legs and feet. This can cause them to overlook cuts and scrapes, which if left untreated can lead to infections and complications.
Diabetes Injury Importance
Diabetic injuries, especially those of the toes, legs, and feet, can take longer to heal because of nerve or blood vessel damage that prevents oxygen and blood from reaching the ailment and healing it. So, even small injuries can lead to severe infections. If the ailment goes unnoticed, or left untreated, this could eventually lead to tissue damage, organ damage, or amputation.
If a person has diabetic neuropathy (diabetic nerve damage), often they will not notice cuts, scrapes, burns, fractures, or sores. So, these injuries get left untreated. On top of that, they will also have more coordination problems because of lack of sensations and joint and muscle weakness. Therefore, they are more prone to trip, fall, bump, or scrape.
Diabetes Injury Treatment
Even the smallest of skin breaks requires either medical attention or antibiotics. Of course this doesn’t mean that you have to run to your doctor every time you get a paper cut, but you may have to consider it for a second. Antibiotic ointment is a good thing to stock up on. Also, any open wounds that you have should be bandaged.
Prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Diabetics should check their feet routinely every day for cracks in their skin, cuts, calluses, bruises, blisters, ulcers, fractures, and breaks. Skin should be kept dry and a moisturizer should be used on your feet (but not between your toes).
Prevent injuries by keeping doorways and walkways clear, being conscious of sharp objects, and covering and avoiding slippery surfaces. Don’t walk around barefoot, and be sure to use the handrails on the stairs. Also, be sure to test the temperature of water with your hand or arm before stepping into a tub. This will prevent burns from scalding hot water.
Drinking lots of water and getting adequate nutrition will also help protect your skin. Diet is important in diabetes anyway, so talk to your physician or a dietician about appropriate meal proportions. Taking vitamins such as vitamin C will help along the healing process if adiabetes injury does occur. A diet with adequate amounts of protein will help to heal and prevent injuries as well.
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