How Do I Get My Diabetic Ulcer to Heal?

Diabetes changes the body's tissues and skin, making it more brittle and prone to open sores called diabetic ulcers. Because diabetes also hinders the body's ability to heal itself, diabetic ulcers can quickly worsen and cause infection or amputation if not treated properly. Control your diabetes and practice diligent wound care so that diabetic ulcers heal quickly and completely.

General Guidelines

• Control your blood sugar. Blood sugar levels that are too high prevent wounds from healing properly. If you have a diabetic ulcer, or if you are trying to prevent future occurrences, maintain blood sugar levels within your doctor's guidelines. Vigilantly check your blood sugar, and don't cheat on your diet. Lose weight if you are overweight.

  Stop smoking. Smoking decreases your blood circulation and decreases your body's healing ability. Smoking increases your chances of having an amputation due to diabetic ulcers.

  All diabetic ulcers require medical care. Make a doctor's appointment for your diabetic ulcer, even if it doesn't hurt. Diabetes causes a loss of sensation in the extremities, so it's possible you're not feeling pain for that reason. Check your feet often for signs of ulcers daily, since you may not be able to feel one forming.

Treatment

• Rest the area with the diabetic ulcer until it is completely healed. Since diabetic ulcers are commonly found on the foot, do not walk on the foot with the ulcer. A cast or brace may help protect the foot with the ulcer. Once the ulcer has healed, wear protective shoes to avoid re-injuring the area.

  After you see your doctor, she may prescribe antibiotics for your diabetic ulcer. Take all of the oral antibiotics, even once the ulcer has healed. If you have been prescribed topical antibiotics, use the cream or ointment as directed.

  Only an x-ray or medical examination can determine whether your diabetic ulcer has spread to the bone. Occasionally, foot or leg ulcers cause amputation in diabetics. Your doctor may perform a treatment in her office or in a hospital to remove dead or diseased tissue if necessary. If the ulcer does not heal, a vascular surgeon can perform angioplasty or place stints to improve blood flow to the area.

Prevention

• Exfoliate your feet and legs daily with a pumice stone in the shower when washing to avoid forming callouses. Apply a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly to your feet to protect your skin, avoiding the area between your toes. When you get a callous on your foot, see a doctor to have it trimmed and don't try to trim it yourself. Wear hosiery as recommended by your doctor to improve your circulation in your legs. Wear comfortable and protective shoes daily.