Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes high levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes is caused by lack of insulin or the inability of the body to respond to insulin. In the United States, about 13,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes each year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Slow-healing cuts or wounds are warning signs of diabetes in children.
Slow-Healing Cuts
If your child has a cut or wound that has taken a long time to heal, consult your doctor for further assessment. A child with poorly controlled diabetes may have a harder time healing wounds, according to KidsHealth.org. High blood glucose levels damage blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation. Poor circulation limits the amount of nutrients that reach a cut, which leads to delayed healing. High blood glucose levels also encourage bacteria to thrive in your child's body. Small cuts can easily become infected. Infection of a cut slows the healing process. If you notice signs of infection in a diabetic child, contact your doctor right away.
Treatment
Proper glucose control can help speed the healing of cuts and wounds in children with diabetes. Glucose control can be achieved using diabetes medication, diet and exercise. Diabetes medications and exercise help lower high blood glucose levels. Complex carbohydrates and protein-rich food help stabilize blood glucose levels throughout the day. If your child has diabetes, follow your pediatrician's treatment plan to ensure that your child's glucose levels are tightly controled.
Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition can slow the healing of cuts and wounds in a diabetic child. Give your diabetic child balanced meals that contain plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods contain nutrients needed to heal wounds. Request your pediatrician to assess your child's blood work for nutritional deficiencies. If your child has nutritional deficiencies, the pediatrician may prescribe vitamin supplements.
Other Signs
A child with diabetes is likely to display other signs of the disease, including extreme thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, excessive eating, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, blurred vision, irritability, fruity breath odor, weight loss and muscle wasting. If your child suddenly begins wetting the bed, contact your doctor, as bed wetting is an early sign of diabetes in children.
