Wounds can be classified in any number of ways. Some common examples of these classifications are lacerations, bruising or even ulcerations. For all people, under the right circumstances, the smallest cut if left uncared for can become a life-threatening injury. When diabetes is added to the mixture, proper wound care becomes an imperative part of life.
When dealing with wound care the first step in caring for any injury is to simply assess the situation and determine the severity of the wound. For small cuts and abrasions, it is very possible that one could easily care for the wound themselves. If on the other hand the wound is deep enough to see muscle or bone, or an overabundance of bleeding occurs, one’s best course of action is to seek professional help. If the wound seems manageable, then the next course of action is to make sure that the affected area is cleaned. Some ways to clean the area would be to rinse the area with a mild soap and water solution or disinfect the area with an alcohol or hydrogen peroxide solution. After it is cleaned, make sure to dry the wound and then cover it with clean gauze.
At this point, most people would consider their wound properly cared for, but this is only the beginning. As the wound heals one must pay attention to the healing process and make sure that the wound continues to stay clean and dry and also that it is healing properly. Change the bandages and check the wound on a regular basis to make sure that it is not showing signs of redness, or excreting yellow drainage. If the wound shows those symptoms it indicates that it could be infected. If that should occur the best course of action would be to seek professional help.
Remember, those with diabetes tend to heal slower and because of this their small wounds can turn into serious injuries in much less time. Any small wounds on the feet, for example, can easily turn into an ulcer, and that ulcer can grow to a point of infection which then can lead to the necessity to amputate the foot. Proper wound care can leave someone affected with diabetes the ability to continue walking on their own. Also, if anyone is ever unsure about whether or not they can properly care for a wound on their own, there is no harm in consulting a professional for their opinion on any matter regarding one’s health.
