...

Diabetic foot wound dressing and its important points

The wound caused by diabetes is one of the most painful wounds. There are different treatment processes to treat these wounds. One of the influential factors in the healing process of diabetic wounds is dressing.

There are different types of diabetic foot wound dressing, each of which has different characteristics. In this section, we have decided to introduce you to the types of diabetic foot wound dressing and describe the characteristics of each one. For this reason, it is better to accompany us in the rest of this section.

What is diabetic foot wound dressing?

What is diabetic foot wound dressing?

Diabetic wound dressing is one of the most basic measures to protect diabetic wounds. Today, this dressing is done using the best raw materials. With the help of dressing these wounds, you can help a lot to heal wounds caused by diabetes. For this reason, the wound dressing is very important in diabetic patients.

In general, diabetic wound dressing helps reduce injuries and treat them. Diabetic ulcers usually have many complications and bother the patient. For this reason, the dressing should be done using high-quality raw materials.

Of course, we must mention that the severity of diabetic wounds greatly impacts the choice of dressing type. For this reason, there are different types of the wound dressing in diabetic patients. Dressings are considered completely suitable for the physical conditions of the patient, and their characteristics are different from each other.

In any case, you should see the best doctors. We suggest you to see a good doctor for the treatment of diabetic foot conditions in Dubai.

✔️ Read More: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome; How To Treat It?

What causes diabetic foot ulcers?

Injuries and accidents, like all wounds, cause diabetic foot ulcers, but the difference between diabetic ulcers and wounds in normal people is that they heal more slowly.

When a wound is formed on the body surface of a healthy person, after the bleeding, the body immediately starts tissue formation so that new tissue is first created in the wound and damaged tissue. Then the wound surface is covered with the accumulation of wound edges and collagen production. Replace the new skin in the place of damage.

This process takes up to 2 weeks in normal people, but in diabetic patients, the wound is fresh for up to 2 years, and bleeding is possible with any injury. This problem and wound formation will occur for the following reasons.

Before going into the reasons for using these disease, we suggest you see the best ankle surgeon in Dubai if you have any severity in this area.

Vascular problems

Atheroma, or narrowing of blood vessels, is a complication that occurs due to high blood pressure in diabetic patients. This complication can cause diabetic foot ulcers. In atheroma, fat and blood sugar block the path of the vessels, which hinders blood circulation, and at the time of wound formation, interactions for healing occur later.

Because of this problem, a simple wound can turn into a wide or deep wound and lead to a serious infection by receiving contamination. In such situations, you should see a skilled doctor. A skilled doctor can also help you with the treatment of plantar warts.

Nerve dysfunction

Due to circulatory and hormonal disorders caused by diabetes, the body’s nerves are severely weakened. Nervous disorders also cause problems such as neuropathy, which reduces the sensation of the organs, especially the feet, in diabetic patients.

In this situation, pain receptors are lost or severely weakened, which causes the patient to notice the injury later and, as a result, to dress the wound later. Keep in mind that you need to see the best doctor for your pain. So try to find the best doctor for your problem or a good surgeon for the treatment of heel in Dubai.

Improper covering

One of the factors that have a great impact on diabetic foot ulcers is the use of inappropriate covering for the feet. Socks, shoes, etc., in diabetic patients should be of the best quality and protect the patient’s feet from stones on the path. Even at home, diabetic patients should use appropriate foot coverings so that they don’t have problems due to friction with the carpet.

Lack of foot care

Finally, the last factor leading to diabetic foot ulcers is the lack of proper foot care. The feet of diabetic patients are very sensitive. The skin in these patients is drier and thinner than in normal people. So stretching and a simple itch may also cause ulcers.

Therefore, a diabetic patient should apply seasonally suitable lotions according to the state and severity of the illness. They should also know about topics like how to repair a diabetic foot wound if one should arise.

✔️ Read More: Talus Fracture; How To Treat It?

The characteristics of the diabetic wound dressing

The characteristics of the diabetic wound dressing 

Diabetic wound dressings should usually have a series of special features so as not to disturb the healing process and reduce complications. We describe these features for you in the form of the following items.

High absorption power

One of the most important and main features of diabetic wound dressing is its high absorption power. These dressings should absorb the blood and secretions from the wound well so that they do not penetrate outside the dressing.

Keeping the wound moist

Usually, excessively dry wounds caused by diabetes are very annoying. Diabetic wound dressing should be able to moisturize the skin. The dryness of the wound can delay healing and prolong the healing process. For this reason, the dressing should have moisture-retention properties.

Impermeable to water and microbes

Another important feature of diabetic wound dressing is that it is impermeable. Of course, this impenetrability refers to water and bacteria because the penetration of bacteria and germs can worsen the condition of the wound.

Permeability to gases and oxygen

In contrast to the fact that diabetic wound dressing should be impervious to water and microbes, it should be permeable to gases and oxygen. This can greatly help the wound-healing process.

Not damaging the wound while removing the dressing

Many dressings stick to the wound during changing and cause a lot of pain and discomfort for the patient. Regarding the special dressing for diabetic wounds, we must say that this dressing should not damage the wound and should not stick to it while removing it from the wound.

Availability

Another important feature of a diabetic wound dressing is its availability. Usually, diabetic patients need a lot of these types of dressings. For this reason, its availability is very important.

✔️ Read More: Rheumatoid Arthritis and its treatment methods

The types of diabetic foot wound dressings

The types of diabetic foot wound dressings

There are different types of diabetic wound dressing based on the type of wound. Remember that not every dressing can be used for diabetic wounds. Depending on the wound type, the dressing type will also be different.

Diabetic wound dressing with low adhesion

This type of dressing is made of linen and is placed directly on the wound. There are two types of linen dressing. The first type of dressing does not contain any medicinal substances such as paraffin gas. The second type of linen dressing contains medicinal substances such as povidone.

Absorbent dressing

This dressing is used for wounds with a lot of liquid secretion. Usually, this dressing is used to control bleeding and as a second layer of dressing.

Advanced dressing

Another type of diabetic wound dressing is the advanced type. This type of dressing has compounds that help heal the wound. Also, these dressings increase the wound-healing process.

Formless dressing

These types of dressings can be prepared in sheets and completely flat. Formless dressing mainly uses moisturizing and absorbing wound secretions.

Membrane dressing

The diabetic wound dressing of membrane type is resistant to water and oxygen penetration and protects the wound from permeable factors.

Polymer and soft dressing

Another type of dressing for diabetic wounds is polymeric and soft. These types of dressings have a non-sticky layer and are completely soft and comfortable.

Hydrocolloid dressing

Hydrocolloid dressing is another type that helps to moisturize the wound. Also, their anti-adhesive coating creates a gelatinous layer on the wound.

Foam dressing

This type of dressing for diabetic wounds absorbs secretions. The absorption power of these dressings is very high, and they do not harm the wound when changing.

Alginate dressing

Alginate or seaweed dressing is one of the dressings that have a high absorption power and helps improve wound healing in diabetic patients with optimal moisturizing.

✔️ Read More: Sports injuries; everything you need to know

Golden tips for diabetic foot ulcers

There are several reasons why diabetes increases the chance of developing foot ulcers. One of the main symptoms of diabetes is high blood sugar (also called blood glucose). Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, making it harder to heal wounds and cuts.

It also increases the possibility of getting an infection and thus reduces your feeling of pain, so in case of an ulcer, you may notice it after it worsens. Therefore, if you also have a diabetic foot ulcer, after visiting a doctor and treating the ulcer, you should take a series of golden steps to treat it yourself.

Some golden tips for diabetic foot ulcers that your doctor may recommend are:

Clean your wound daily

Use soap and water to wash diabetic foot ulcers unless your doctor recommends a different cleanser. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or soak your wound in a bath or whirlpool, as this can slow healing and increase the chance of your wound becoming infected. Therefore, the first golden tip of a diabetic foot ulcer is to wash and keep it clean.

Diabetic wound dressing

One of the important things to do to take care of a diabetic foot ulcer is dressing it. Researchers have realized that if diabetic foot ulcer is not treated, they can cause very dangerous infections.

Avoid putting pressure on your foot wound.

One of the golden tips of a diabetic foot ulcer is to avoid putting pressure on it. Therefore, doctors prescribe the use of limbs, special shoes, or other devices to help reduce the pressure on the foot wound to speed up the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

Hence, you should wear shoes and slippers that are designed for diabetics that can protect your feet from pressure points and impact. Your provider may refer you to a podiatrist to help you find the right shoe. Wound drainage with specialized boots or casts is often used to heal diabetic foot ulcers.

Use of topical medications

Topical drugs are drugs that are used on the skin. Some topical ointments are very effective in the care of diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, your doctor can use these ointments to heal your wound faster.

Never walk barefoot

Never remove calluses, blisters, or toenails. Because plucking these can open the wound’s surface and increase the possibility of infection. This is one of the golden tips for diabetic foot ulcers that you must take.

Wearing special socks

Special socks are designed for diabetic patients that draw moisture away from the body and have no color and pressure points such as seams or tight bands. Therefore, wearing these socks is helpful.

See a doctor for regular checkups

You should plan and visit your doctor immediately within a certain period. Then tell your doctor about any signs and symptoms of diabetes.

✔️ Read More: What is the peroneal tendon and what is its use?

Important tips for choosing the best diabetic wound dressing

Important tips for choosing the best diabetic wound dressing

Regarding choosing the type of dressing, you should pay attention to a series of important points and things. Before stating these points, we must say that diabetic patients suffer more than they can bear the pain caused by these wounds. Therefore, try to be careful in choosing the type of dressing so that these pains do not increase.

In general, moisture improves the wound-healing process. For this reason, try to consider this when choosing the type of dressing.

If the wound condition is such that there are a lot of secretions or severe bleeding, you should use dressings that can absorb the secretions. These types of dressings absorb secretions well and then return the necessary moisture to the wound.

When buying a diabetic wound dressing, be sure to pay attention to the type of fabric and fibers. If the wound is deep, you should use softer fibers and texture dressings.

Another very important point that you should pay attention to when choosing a dressing for a diabetic wound is that if the wound is open and deep, never use betadine or hydrogen peroxide dressings. It is very important to pay attention to these points when buying and preparing diabetic wound dressing.

The effect of diabetic foot wound dressing on wound healing?

You might think that diabetic wound dressing is just to cover the wound. But this dressing is an important part of the treatment process. Because in the previous section, we introduced the types of dressings for diabetic wounds, you understood the effect of each of these dressings on healing wounds caused by diabetes. Therefore, dressing diabetic wounds has a great effect on wound healing.

It is better to choose the type of dressing according to the type of wound and its depth. Of course, regarding choosing the type of dressing for a diabetic wound, you should pay attention to the doctor’s opinion and use the appropriate dressing according to the doctor’s prescription.

But in general, since the type of dressing has a direct effect on the wound healing process, you should pay special attention to this issue. It is good to know that both the diagnosis of the type of wound and the determination of the type of dressing are the attending physician’s responsibility.

You should know what type of diabetic ulcer it is and what treatment it needs. Sometimes a dressing may not be the only treatment needed. In some cases, the doctor cuts a series of dead skin tissues so that the process of repairing other skin tissues can be done successfully.

✔️ Read More: What is ankle disc osteochondritis? How to treat it?

What factors increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcers?

What factors increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcers?

There are many things that, if ignored, can worsen your foot ulcer and lead to serious risks. The following can increase the likelihood of foot ulcers:

  • Neuropathy (decreased nerve function)
  • Having poor circulation
  • Diabetes is not well controlled
  • Wearing inappropriate shoes
  • walking barefoot

Therefore, people who have diabetes for a longer period or who do not manage their diabetes effectively are more prone to developing diabetic foot ulcers. Smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, cholesterol, or high blood pressure are among the golden tips of diabetic foot ulcers, all of which can increase the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers.

When do you need more advanced treatments?

If you have followed the golden tips for diabetic foot ulcers, but your ulcer has not healed in about a month or has become infected so that it has spread to the bones, you may need other treatments.

Advanced treatments can include surgery and hyperbolic oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber to help your body heal.

✔️ Read More: What is an ankle sprain? Examining its treatment methods

FAQs

Do you need to see a doctor for diabetic wound dressing?

Yes! Diabetic wound dressings require specialized care and treatment. For this reason, you should see a doctor to dress and change it.

What kind of dressing is better?

The doctor is the one who should choose the dressing. But in general, the dressing type depends on the wound.

Is dressing alone enough to treat diabetic wounds?

No! In this case, we must say that in addition to dressing, it is necessary to use other medical methods to treat diabetic ulcers. For this reason, diabetic wound dressing alone does not cure the wound.

Why do wound dressings vary?

The condition and depth of diabetic ulcers are different from each other. For this reason, some dressings may not be suitable for some wounds. This may aggravate the condition of the wound. For this reason, you should use a suitable dressing for the wound.

Should the dressing be permeable or impermeable?

Regarding this issue, we must say that the dressing must be permeable to oxygen and other gases and impervious to water and microbes. This issue accelerates the healing process of the disease.

Conclusion

In this article, we tried to describe the most complete and comprehensive diabetic foot wound dressing. These tips, in addition to helping the wounds heal quickly, also prevent them from getting worse or infected. Therefore, knowing these golden tips for diabetic wounds will help people take care of the ulcer and heal it faster.