Why diabetes slows your healing

/
Rebecca Davis

CUTS AND SCRAPES CAN BECOME SERIOUS- UNLESS YOU TAKE THESE STEPS

Key takeaways

Poorly controlled diabetes can slow wound healing, increasing the risk of complications such as foot ulcers, infections, and other serious problems.
High blood sugar can interfere with circulation and weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to repair damaged tissue and fight infections.
Proper diabetic wound care may include keeping the wound clean, using suitable dressings, reducing pressure on the affected area, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Preventing diabetic wounds starts with good blood sugar control and regular foot care. Checking your feet regularly, wearing properly fitted protective footwear, and getting professional foot care when needed can help reduce the risk of serious complications.

When most people think about diabetes, they often think about blood sugar, food, and insulin—not cuts and scrapes. However, diabetes can also affect the body’s ability to heal wounds properly. Understanding why healing may be slower can help you take steps to prevent minor injuries from developing into more serious complications.

Learn more about how diabetes affects wound healing, available treatment options, and ways to prevent diabetic wounds.

What is a diabetic wound?

Cuts, scrapes, and scratches are all types of wounds. When diabetes is poorly controlled, these injuries may take longer to heal and can have a higher risk of developing complications.

Although every wound should receive proper care, diabetic foot wounds are especially concerning. According to Rachel Trippett, MD, a physician with the U.S. Public Health Service Indian Hospital in New Mexico, a seemingly minor problem such as a blister or callus can progress into a foot ulcer if it is not noticed and treated promptly.

These injuries can be easy to overlook, particularly when nerve damage reduces sensation in the feet. If a wound becomes infected and is left untreated, it may lead to serious complications, including amputation. About 15% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers, and approximately 40% to 70% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.

Two major factors contribute to the increased risk of wounds and delayed healing in people with diabetes are high blood sugar levels and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).

High blood sugar levels

Blood sugar levels can significantly affect the body’s ability to heal wounds. When blood glucose levels are too high, they can interfere with the delivery of oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream to cells throughout the body, including the cells involved in tissue repair.

Reduced circulation can make the skin more fragile and susceptible to injury, even from everyday contact. High blood sugar can also slow wound healing and increase the risk of infection because cells may not receive and transport essential nutrients as efficiently.

In addition, elevated blood sugar can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight infections and repair damaged tissue effectively.

Diabetic neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a broad term for damage to the peripheral nerves, which can include diabetic neuropathy. Persistently high blood sugar can damage these nerves, particularly those furthest from the center of the body, such as the nerves in the hands and feet.

According to Dr. Trippett, diabetic neuropathy commonly causes tingling and numbness. As nerve damage progresses, people may lose their normal ability to sense pressure, temperature, or pain. This can make it harder to notice an injury, a poorly fitting shoe, or signs that a wound has become infected.

Because injuries may go unnoticed, regular foot checks are especially important for people with diabetes.

Signs of infection and poor wound healing

It’s important to watch for signs that a wound is infected or taking longer than expected to heal. The appearance of the wound can often provide useful clues. An infected diabetic wound may be painful, red, swollen, or produce pus, and it may not improve even after receiving medical care. However, people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may experience little or no pain because of reduced sensation.

Because lower-extremity wounds are especially common among people with diabetes, checking your feet every day is important. Look for calluses, redness, cuts, swelling, skin breakdown, or other unusual changes. Keep track of anything you notice so you can tell whether the condition is improving or getting worse.

If you have difficulty seeing the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask a family member to help. Reduced nerve sensitivity can make injuries easier to overlook, so make sure you inspect the entire foot carefully.

RELATED: Diabetic foot care tips

When to see a doctor

When it comes to diabetic wounds, it’s better to be cautious. Dr. Trippett recommends seeking medical attention if you experience burning, tingling, persistent pain, swelling, or a wound that does not appear to be healing.

The risk of delayed wound healing is higher when blood sugar levels are consistently elevated or frequently fluctuate. Other factors that may slow healing include diabetic neuropathy, poor circulation, existing foot problems such as bunions, and a history of diabetic foot ulcers.

If you have any of these risk factors, contact your healthcare provider about any new wounds, even if they appear minor. Robert J. Samuelson, MD, a primary care physician at Horizon Medical Group, emphasizes the importance of being open with your doctor about these concerns so they can be properly evaluated and treated.

Diabetic wound care tips

Despite taking precautions, wounds can happen to anyone. Whether it’s a minor cut or burn or a deeper wound, proper care is especially important for people with diabetes because delayed healing can increase the risk of infection and other complications. These steps may help support proper wound care:

Clean the wound: Gently wash the area with soap and water, then apply an appropriate topical antibiotic ointment if recommended. Avoid products containing Polysporin if you have a known sensitivity, as some ingredients may cause skin reactions that can resemble an infection.
Cover the wound: Use a sterile dressing available from most pharmacies. Depending on the type and severity of the wound, your healthcare provider may recommend a specific type of dressing, including a moist wound dressing.
Change dressings regularly: Keep the dressing clean and replace it as directed, often two to three times a day. Dirty or contaminated dressings can increase the risk of bacterial growth and infection.
Address pain appropriately: Let your healthcare provider know if you experience pain. Pain and inflammation can affect circulation and healing. Your provider can recommend an appropriate pain reliever based on your health and medications.
Review your medications: Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all medications you take. Certain medications, including steroids and some anti-inflammatory drugs, may affect the body’s healing response.
Avoid pressure on the wound: Reduce pressure on areas that are healing, particularly the feet. Wear properly fitting shoes and make sure socks are clean, comfortable, and not bunched up.
Ask about debridement: Your healthcare provider may need to remove damaged, infected, or dead tissue around a wound. This process, known as debridement, can help remove unhealthy tissue and reduce the risk of infection.
Maintain good nutrition: Healing requires energy and nutrients. Follow a balanced, diabetes-friendly eating pattern that includes lean proteins, low-glycemic carbohydrates, vegetables, and healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil and avocados.

RELATED: The best diet for diabetes

How to prevent diabetes wounds and infections

When it comes to diabetic wound care, prevention is often better than treatment. Taking steps to protect your skin and feet can help reduce the risk of wounds, infections, and healing complications.

Keep blood sugar levels under control. Consistently high blood sugar can contribute to wound development and delayed healing. According to Dr. Trippett, one of the most important things you can do is monitor your blood glucose regularly and work toward keeping it within your recommended range.
Check your feet regularly. Foot care is especially important for people with diabetes. Look for cuts, blisters, scrapes, redness, or other changes, and keep your toenails properly trimmed.
Avoid walking barefoot. Wear shoes or other protective footwear, even indoors. This provides an extra layer of protection, particularly if diabetic neuropathy has reduced your ability to feel pain or detect injuries.
Have your feet examined by a healthcare professional. During routine medical visits, ask your provider to check your feet for wounds, circulation problems, and signs of neuropathy. An annual visit with a podiatrist may also provide a more thorough foot examination and professional nail care when needed.
Wear properly fitting shoes. Shoes that are too tight can create friction and pressure, increasing the risk of blisters and other foot injuries. Consider trying on shoes later in the afternoon, when your feet may be slightly more swollen, to help ensure a comfortable fit.

Source: SingleCare

Menu