3 Reasons Diabetics Should Consider Wound Care Services

Although most people do not think about the healing process after an injury or surgery, diabetics should be especially vigilant about their increased risk of complications. Using wound care services can be helpful to diabetics who may need more help during the healing process.

Reduce Your Risk Of Complications

Fairly simple injuries or routine procedures can turn complex when you have diabetes. Utilizing wound care services can reduce your risk of infection or other problems that are more prevalent in people with diabetes versus doing your own wound care. Generally, wound care can be performed in your home or in a specialized center. This allows people with mobility or transportation limitations to have access to wound care specialists regardless of their situation or medical needs. If you happen to live in an environment that could complicate healing, such as around people who are ill or in poor living conditions, you should be more meticulous about your wound care to avoid problems.

Spot Problems Early

Unfortunately, diabetics are also at higher risk of injury or worsening of wounds because they might have neuropathy. If you had an injury or surgery on your extremities, which is where most instances of diabetic neuropathy tend to occur, it can be harder for you to identify signs of new or worsening problems. For example, people who develop an infection or their wounds are not healing properly might first recognize the problem because their pain increases instead of becoming better. If your injury or incision is on a part of your body that is difficult to see clearly, such as your feet, you might not notice increasing redness or other visual changes in the wound. A wound care specialist might notice issues before you do, possibly preventing delays in healing or major infections.

Use Better Wound Care Techniques

Since wound care specialists can spot problems with the wound-healing process earlier, they might recommend other treatments to help. For example, sometimes negative-pressure wound therapy is used in the earlier stages of a wound or once it is believed the wound needs help to heal correctly. If you are currently using standard therapies for wounds, such as sterile dressings, drains, or antibiotic ointment, your wound management team might talk with your doctor or surgeon to try other methods if the wound is not making progress. Some wounds are allowed to heal on their own with simple types of wound care, but over time, they might require surgical intervention to help with healing and remove any infected or dying tissue.

Diabetics can have unique wound care needs after an injury or surgery. Working with a wound care specialist can reduce your risk of serious infections and poor wound healing that can have major consequences.