
Diabetic Wound Care: 5 Tips to Prevent a Serious Complication

Living with diabetes means paying closer attention to your health than you ever have. One area that often needs extra care is your skin — especially your feet. If you have diabetes, you’re at higher risk of developing wounds that don’t heal properly, and if left untreated, even a small blister or cut can lead to a serious complication.
But with the right habits and guidance from our experts at Advanced Vascular Solutions in Melbourne and Sebastian, Florida, you can prevent many wounds or treat them early enough before they turn into something more dangerous.
Here are five practical tips to help keep your skin healthy and protect yourself from diabetic wound complications.
1. Inspect your feet daily
Your feet are most vulnerable because diabetes can reduce blood flow and damage the nerves there, making it harder to feel pain or notice an injury. A minor injury or sore can go unnoticed until it worsens.
Get into the habit of checking your feet every day. Look for blisters, cuts, redness, swelling, or any change in skin color. If it’s difficult to see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask a family member for help.
2. Keep your skin clean and moisturized
Clean, healthy skin is more resistant to injury and infection. Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water and gentle soap. Then dry thoroughly (wet feet are breeding grounds for bacteria), especially between the toes.
Apply moisturizer to keep the skin soft, but avoid putting lotion between the toes, since excess moisture there can increase the risk of infection. Moisturized skin is less likely to crack, which means fewer openings for bacteria to enter.
3. Choose the right footwear
Shoes that fit properly can make a big difference in preventing wounds. Ill-fitting shoes rub and create pressure points that turn into blisters or sores. For everyday wear, choose supportive shoes with enough room for your toes and soft socks that don’t bunch up.
If you have foot deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes, consider talking with a podiatrist who can recommend shoes or prescribe custom orthotics designed to reduce pressure on sensitive areas.
4. Manage your condition
Good blood sugar control plays a key role in wound healing. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, it can slow down the body’s ability to repair itself and fight infection. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes also increases the risk of nerve damage and poor circulation — two major factors in wound complications.
Stay in close contact with your primary care provider and create habits that help you monitor your blood sugar, stick to your prescribed diet, stay active, and take medications. All of these habits combined can help keep your levels in check.
5. Don’t ignore early warning signs
Even with the best prevention, wounds can still happen. What matters most is catching them early. If you notice a sore, blister, or cut that isn’t improving after a couple of days or if it gets worse, contact us as soon as possible. Other red flags include swelling, drainage, foul odor, or spreading redness around the wound.
Prompt treatment is critical. Early care can prevent infection from spreading and reduce the risk of more serious complications, including hospitalization or, in severe cases, amputation.
Wound care: Your secret weapon in diabetes management
Diabetic wounds aren’t just inconvenient — they can become serious health threats if not dealt with properly.
About 15 percent of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer, and infections are a leading cause of hospital stays for those with diabetes.
By staying proactive and making wound care part of your daily routine, you can significantly lower your risk of serious problems.
The best news? You don’t have to manage it all on your own. Request an appointment over the phone today or send us a message here on our website. We’re here to walk you through all your diabetic wound care concerns.
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