Disease Management
Bacteria thrive in bodies with high blood sugar—and increased glucose levels actually boost bacteria growth. This cycle compromises your immune system, which means foot wounds take longer to heal. If you have diabetes, it’s critical to consistently monitor and keep your blood sugar within the recommended range. By doing so, you reduce the odds of bacteria endangering your limbs. Regulating your blood pressure and cholesterol also makes it easier to maintain foot health.
Always Wear Shoes
Footwear is like armor for an immunocompromised person. They protect your feet from puncture wounds, scrapes, and cuts. If you have a condition that keeps your feet from healing properly, wear shoes anytime you’re moving around.
Select the Right Footwear
For some people with medical issues, even a minor injury or wound like a blister from too-tight shoes can quickly become a major problem. It’s important to always choose socks and footwear that reduce your risk of injury. We often advise:
- Shoes that give your toes plenty of wiggle room but hold your heel securely in place.
- Minimal seams inside your shoes and socks and strategically placed to avoid friction.
- Moisture-wicking materials for both socks and footwear that help keep your feet dry.
Daily Foot Care
Maintaining healthy feet is an easy preventative measure. Your daily care routine should include:
- Foot checks to inspect for injuries, paying special attention to:
- Inside the leg just above the ankle
- The parts of your feet and toes that are especially weight-sensitive
- Heels
- Tips of toes
- Where toes rub on each other
- On bony parts of your feet that rub on socks and shoes
- Your nail beds, especially anywhere you might have had a previous issue
- Wash your feet thoroughly with mild soap and water and then dry completely, particularly between your toes
- Moisturizing your feet and heels with a high-quality lotion to prevent cracks and fissures
Engaging in Approved Exercise
Regular movement improves circulation, which can help maintain your body’s ability to heal itself. Exercise is also essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Always talk to your primary care doctor, a physical therapist, or a fitness professional before starting a new exercise routine.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking a lot of water increases circulation, prevents dry skin and cracking where bacteria can enter your feet, and improves your overall health. How much is “a lot”? It really depends, but most physicians recommend at least 11 cups daily for women and 15 cups daily for men.
Cut Carefully
When trimming your toenails, be sure to cut straight across and not at an angle that rounds off the edges to avoid ingrown toenails. This condition causes a nail to pierce the tissue around it, establishing a prime breeding site for bacteria and more serious foot wounds.
When Foot Wounds Require Medical Care
If your feet are at risk for developing ulcers, call Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center to make an appointment with our Chesapeake amputation prevention experts at the first sign of an injury, especially if you notice the signs of a potential infection. These symptoms include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Dark or black, dead skin surrounding the injury
- Pain or irritation
- Skin that is hot to the touch
- Pus or other liquid oozing from the sore
- Unpleasant odor
Don’t wait to get medical care, as this can have serious consequences such as:
- Foot and ankle ulcers
- Infections
- Gangrene
- Sepsis
- Hospitalizations
- Amputations
- Decreased mobility
How Annapolis Foot & Ankle Foot Doctors Help You Treat Foot Ulcers and Avoid Amputation
The podiatrists at our offices in Central Maryland are amputation prevention specialists. We develop an individualized care plan to meet your needs and reduce your risk of amputation through surgical and non-surgical interventions. Your treatment plan might include:
- Education about how to clean and inspect your feet
- Assistance in choosing proper footwear
- Offloading weight and pressure with crutches, a scooter, or a wheelchair
- Custom orthotics
- Compression
- Vaporox foot wound treatment
- Antibiotics
- Topical Creams
- Anti-clotting medications
- Amniotic tissue grafts
- Moist dressings
- Alginate dressings
- Collagen wound dressings
- Debridement
- Synthetic skin substitutes
- Composite dressings
We take great pride in providing quality care our patients appreciate. As Alma D. said, “Everyone is professional and it’s a very friendly staff. The doctor listened and asked me if I had any questions. And you don't sit around all day waiting to be seen.” Keep this in mind if you need urgent medical attention for a foot ulcer—we offer same-day appointments.