Chronic foot ulcers and peripheral neuropathy are among the most severe and commonly occurring complications associated with diabetes, according to Diabetes.co.uk, which adds that peripheral neuropathy is characterized by numbness, tingling and pain in the extremities, most commonly the feet, and is caused by nerve damage due to persistent elevation of blood glucose. Major contributing factors to persistent foot ulcers in diabetics are reduced blood flow to the feet and defects in the normal wound-healing process, according the American Diabetes Association.
Underlying Causes
Treating diabetic foot problems starts most effectively by tackling the major underlying cause of diabetes and the consequent elevation of blood glucose levels. A carefully controlled diet, low in saturated fat, sugar and salt, and high in soluble fiber, most commonly found in vegetables and fruits, is integral to tackling diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Additionally, performing daily cardiovascular exercise such as walking or cycling for 30 minutes is also extremely helpful, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Cleaning the Wound
Cleaning dead skin and tissue from the wound site of diabetic foot ulcers can be performed either by surgery or with specially formulated dressings. This process, also known as debridement, minimizes the potential for infection of the ulcer caused by transfer of proliferating bacteria in rotting tissue that's close to the wound site, according to "Podiatry Today.”
Bandages
Selecting an appropriate bandage for patients with diabetic foot ulcers is very important. Bandages should cover the wound to protect against dirt that may contain infectious bacteria, while keeping the affected area moist to facilitate the wound-healing process, according to an article published in April 2003 in the journal "Wounds."
Antibiotics
Eradicating harmful bacteria at the wound site of diabetic foot ulcers can improve the rate of healing, and this can be accomplished by selecting the most appropriate antibiotics. According to a study published in June 2004 in “Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics,” antibiotics such as linezolid and levofloxacin can treat chronic diabetic foot ulcers, as these drugs are known to help the body fight particularly harmful bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureaus and MRSA, commonly found in patients with this condition.
Cellular Wound Matrices
Cellular wound matrices are generated in the laboratory by coating a mesh with cells from the body. As the cells proliferate across the mesh, proteins are secreted and create a three-dimensional skin substitute that contains living cells, according to "Diabetes Care.” Cellular wound matrices can be used to cover the foot ulcer, to protect the wound from infection, and encourage the patient’s skin cells to migrate towards the wound, thus facilitating the healing process.
References
- "Podiatry Today": Assessing Debridement Options For Diabetic Wounds
- "Wounds": Diabetic Foot Ulcerations
- "Diabetes Technologies and Therapeutics": Advances in the treatment of diabetic foot infections
- "Diabetes Care": Graftskin, a Human Skin Equivalent, Is Effective in the Management of Noninfected Neuropathic Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Diabetes: Diabetes and Neuropathy
