Managing diabetic foot ulcers is a delicate process. But did you know that common wound care substances such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine can actually worsen the problem? You see, these substances—along with certain types of bandages—can actually damage healthy skin cells. And that could inhibit healing, or even provoke an allergic reaction. So the question arises: what are the safer alternatives? Well, in today’s post, we’ll break down the do’s and don’ts of diabetic foot care. Keep reading for all the information you need to promote healing and prevent situations that will extend your recovery time.
The Basics of Caring for Diabetic Foot Ulcers ![feet with ulcers on the soles]()
Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that typically occur on the underside of the foot. More than 15% of individuals living with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. They form due to the nerve damage of peripheral neuropathy, impacting your ability to detect pain and possibly delaying your knowledge of a blister, cut or other foot injury. As such, you may not treat these minor issues in a timely fashion. And that can allow them to progress into ulcers.
Poor circulation also contributes to ulcer formation, as it hinders even minor wound healing. Now, ulcers can vary in severity. While some are relatively minor, others can become deeply infected, penetrating in to your muscles and bones. For that reason, it’s crucial to be proactive in addressing any foot ulcers. They can develop quickly and escalate to severe infections if not treated promptly. (And with the right methods.) Caring for and managing ulcers involves multiple steps. Initially, you’ll need to keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection. You’ll also want to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, as higher ones can hinder healing. Also make sure you’re following a diet with plenty of proteins, vitamins and minerals, since these can promote wound healing.
Furthermore, with the help of your Houston podiatrist, we should offload your wound. (That’s a term to describe relieving pressure from the foot.) Finally, you’ll need to come into the office for regular visits while dealing with an ulcer. This allows us to monitor your healing process, adjust your treatment plan if necessary and help you avoid further complications.
Risk Factors for Ulcers
Everyday activities such as walking or exercising can cause ulcers to form. So can tight fitting shoes or minor scrapes. But poorly controlled blood sugar, along with peripheral neuropathy, are more common risk factors for ulcer development. And being overweight, smoking or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels only add to the problems. Having atherosclerosis, or narrowed arteries, is also a risk factor, as this condition reduces blood flow to your feet, hindering your natural healing processes and increasing your risk for infections. Knowing—and managing or reducing your risk factors—can help prevent foot ulcers from forming in the first place. And that’s truly the best way to promote healing. But if wounds have already developed, you must also know which substances to avoid when caring for diabetic foot ulcers.
3 Substances to Avoid When Caring for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
While certain treatments may seem beneficial, they can actually make your wound worse. One such substance is hydrogen peroxide. It can impede the healing process because it is a strong oxidizing agent. So, while it effectively kills bacteria on the wound’s surface, it also kills the healthy cells that are essential for healing. You see, there are cells—known as fibroblasts—that produce the collagen you need to create new tissue and close up your wound. But when you apply hydrogen peroxide to your ulcer, you eliminate those cells, hindering your body’s natural healing abilities.
Furthermore, it’s important to create a moist environment when caring for diabetic foot ulcers. Otherwise, they won’t heal properly. And hydrogen peroxide has a dry nature that disrupts this moisture balance, delaying healing further.
Using alcohol on diabetic foot ulcers can also lead to severe skin damage and infection. It’s simply too harsh for your delicate skin tissue. Instead of helping you heal, it can worsen the situation by causing skin dryness and irritation. In extreme cases, it’s drying nature can lead to skin death (necrosis). And, like hydrogen peroxide, it kills both bacteria and healthy cells without differentiating between the two. Plus, alcohol leaves your wound open to the environment, increasing your risk for infection due to bacterial invasion. And it disrupts your body’s natural immune response, further increasing your risk.
Now, you might be tempted to use bleach on your diabetic foot ulcer. But that would be very dangerous. You see, it’s a harsh, corrosive substance that can damage healthy skin cells surrounding the ulcer. Plus, bleach can cause allergic reactions, increasing inflammation and discomfort. Bleach is also cytotoxic, meaning it kills both harmful and beneficial bacteria. In this way, it disrupts your skin’s natural microbiome, possibly leading to further infection. Finally, bleach can cause chemical burns, especially on sensitive skin areas. They can be painful, and may complicate the ulcer, making it more difficult to treat.
Of course, you might think it’s crazy to even consider applying bleach to your skin when caring for diabetic foot ulcers. But there’s a lot of online buzz about applying a diluted bleach solution to your wound to promote healing. For that reason, we needed to debunk this myth right away in order to protect your foot health.
Safer Alternatives for Wound Healing
If you want to keep your wound clean without compromising healing, try these substances instead.
1. Saline solution
2. Mild, unscented soap and water
3. Wound cleansers designed for use when caring for diabetic foot ulcers
And don’t underestimate the importance of seeking professional help as soon as you notice an ulcer, and throughout the healing process. In addition to keeping your foot clean, we can carefully debride the wound (remove dead tissue) or prescribe antibiotics if necessary. So, if you are concerned about your diabetic feet, and suspect you may have an ulcer, call us right away at 713-785-7881 or follow this link to request an appointment.
