What a diabetic foot ulcer is
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore that usually forms on the bottom of the foot or over a pressure point such as the ball of the foot, the heel, or a toe. Diabetes can reduce sensation in the feet and slow healing, so a small blister or rub can become an open wound before it is noticed. Because the wound may not hurt, it is easy to underestimate, which is exactly why daily attention matters.
Healing a foot ulcer is usually a team effort between the person, their caregivers, and their clinicians. The home routine you keep between visits has a real effect on how the wound does.
Five everyday priorities
1. Keep pressure off the wound (offloading)
Taking weight and pressure off the ulcer is one of the most important things you can do. Your clinician may recommend a specific device, special footwear, or activity limits. Follow that plan closely, and avoid walking barefoot or in shoes that rub. Even short periods of unprotected weight on the wound can slow healing.
2. Care for the wound and dressing as instructed
Your care team will show you how to clean the wound and change the dressing, and how often to do it. General good practice includes:
- Wash your hands before and after touching the wound or dressing.
- Follow the exact cleaning and dressing steps your clinician gave you.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, and change it on schedule or sooner if it is soiled or loose.
- Do not apply creams, ointments, or home remedies to the wound unless your clinician approved them.
3. Work toward steady blood sugar
Blood sugar that stays in the range your clinician set for you supports healing and lowers infection risk. Keep up with your monitoring, medications, meals, and follow-up as advised. If your numbers are running high or are hard to control, let your care team know.
4. Check both feet every day
A daily foot check helps you catch new problems early, especially if sensation is reduced.
- Look at the tops, bottoms, sides, and between the toes. Use a mirror or ask for help to see the soles.
- Watch for new redness, swelling, blisters, cuts, drainage, or changes in color or odor.
- Note any new warmth or hardness around the wound.
- Keep skin moisturized where advised, but avoid putting lotion between the toes.
5. Protect your feet and your circulation
Wear the footwear your clinician recommends, keep nails and calluses managed by a professional rather than cutting aggressively at home, and avoid heat sources like hot water bottles that you may not feel. If you smoke, ask your care team about support to stop, since smoking can affect circulation and healing.
Coverage
Medicare may cover medically necessary wound care, including diabetic foot ulcer treatment, when eligibility criteria are met. We verify benefits before the first visit and handle the paperwork with you.
When to get specialist help
Some changes need prompt attention. Contact your clinician right away, or seek urgent care, if you notice spreading redness or warmth, increasing swelling, new or worse pain, drainage or a bad odor, a wound that grows or will not heal, black or darkening tissue, or a fever or feeling unwell. People with diabetes can develop serious foot infections quickly, so it is always reasonable to ask rather than wait. Victory Wound Care treats diabetic foot ulcers at home, in assisted living, and in skilled nursing facilities across the Greater Austin metro. You can request a visit or call 737-667-5566.