Published on: Oct 27, 2022

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Diabetes Wound Healing: Causes, Types and Treatment

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Why Does Diabetes Delay Wound Healing?

For those who have diabetes, wound-healing complications are often a common source of problems. Diabetes is a condition where the body is not able to produce enough insulin or is not able to use the produced insulin in the right way.

Insulin is a key hormone that has various glucose-regulating roles to play in the body. In addition, it also helps to heal wounds. People with diabetes are prone to produce less insulin than those who do not have diabetes, or, in some cases, the body is not able to use insulin the right way. In such a situation, hypertension and delayed wound healing could be common.

Factors That Affect Wound Healing

Does hypertension delay wound healing’ is often something that people who have diabetes worry about? 

Wound-healing complications are often common in those who have diabetes. According to some research, there is a direct relation between your blood glucose levels, and your body’s ability to heal wounds. 

  • Insulin is a hormone in the body that helps to move the glucose from your bloodstream and send it to the different cells throughout your body.
  • This glucose is stored and later used for energy by your body.
  • In those who have diabetes, the role of insulin gets disrupted and as a result, it becomes difficult for the body to manage the levels of glucose.
  • In diabetes patients wound healing is often difficult because when blood glucose levels are constantly high, it interferes with the way the white blood cells will function. 
  • These are the blood cells that are key to your immune system and help your body to fight bacteria and heal wounds faster. 
  • For those with diabetes, healing wounds take longer as the functioning of white blood cells gets affected. 
  • As a result, hypertension and delayed wound healing often go hand in hand. 

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Complications of Wound Healing

Diabetes patient wounds, if left untreated, can lead to various forms of health complications, many of which can turn very serious over time.

  • When diabetes is left untreated or uncontrolled over time, it can affect the circulation of blood in the body.
  • As a result, it becomes more difficult for the body to deliver various nutrients from your food to different parts of the body, especially to your wounds. 
  • This makes it even more difficult for the wounds to heal and slows down the process.
  • In some cases, if diabetic neuropathy sets in, it can damage the nerves in the affected areas, and make it difficult to spot an injury or wound at the start. This may delay treatment and further cause complications. 
  • Those who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing bacterial infections within their wounds, making it more difficult and longer to heal.  

Wound healing in diabetes becomes more difficult or takes longer as compared to those who do not have diabetes.  

Types of Diabetes Wounds

There are different types of diabetes wounds as well as diabetes infections. People with diabetes are prone to hand wounds, foot wounds as well as a non-healing wounds. 

  • When diabetes infection is left untreated for a long period of time, especially in the limbs such as feet or hands, it may lead to a condition known as gangrene. In severe cases, this could require amputation to stop the infection from spreading further. 
  • Sepsis is another form of serious infection that can occur when infections are left over time and are allowed to spread uncontrollably. Sepsis is an infection that spreads to the bloodstream and can be fatal.
  • Certain wounds can also spread to bones and muscles over time. These are referred to as osteomyelitis. 

Some of the most common wounds in diabetes are:

  • Cuts 
  • Skin ulcers
  • Burns 
  • Calluses 
  • Bruises 
  • Ingrown toenails 
  • Sores especially on the lower limbs
  • Scrapes 
  • Bumps 

Diabetic foot ulcers are also one of the most common types of wounds that are more common in those who have diabetes: 

  • A diabetic foot ulcer may start like any other small wound that is seen on the foot. 
  • It could look like a small blister, a cut, a small wound, a scrape, or any form of minor injury.
  • However, as the body finds it difficult to naturally heal the wound, over time the skin around the foot injury may start to break down. 
  • In the process, deeper layers of tissue get exposed to bacteria, leading to further infection and more complications in healing. 

Further wounds that are more common to those who have diabetes are: 

1. Neuropathic ulcers

  • These develop when there is constant damage to the nerves that are located outside the spinal cord or brain. This type of damage is often referred to as peripheral neuropathy, as it affects the peripheral nerves.
  • This type of infection or ulcer will usually develop in various pressure areas of the feet, such as the bottom of the foot, the tips of the toes, and so on.
  • Due to peripheral damage, there is a lack of sensation in these areas, and it becomes difficult to spot any injury early. 
  • As a result, even the smallest injury or wound can lead to a bigger breakdown of tissue and cause higher damage. 

2. Ischemic ulcers

  • These are also sometimes known as arterial ulcers and often happen when blood that is rich in nutrients is unable to flow to the lower limbs of your body.
  • These types of ulcers are most commonly seen on the toes as well as heels. 
  • They take a lot of time to heal and may sometimes lead to serious complications and infections, death of tissue in the affected area, and even amputation. 
  • These types of wounds are often pinkish and may also form a scab.

3. Neuroischemic ulcers

  • These are a combination of both the above forms of ulcers and are seen when there is poor circulation of blood in the affected parts as well as nerve damage.
  • These are the most serious types of diabetic ulcers and if left untreated, may lead to amputation.
  • These types of ulcers are most commonly found in and around the feet, especially on the tips of the toes.
  • The neuroischemic ulcers will have callused skin or a layer of thick skin where the infection has appeared. 

How Can a Diabetes Wound Heal Faster?

In addition to the various treatment options that your diabetes healthcare team may suggest, here are a few tips that can help any diabetic wound to heal faster.

1. Carry out regular self-checks

One of the best ways to ensure that there are no complications or discomfort from a diabetic wound is to spot it at the earliest. Daily inspect your pressure points, toes, feet, soles, nails, and limbs to spot any signs of wound or injury.

If you notice anything different or feel any form of discomfort, no matter how minuscule, make sure to take it up with your doctor immediately.

2. Keep your dressings fresh

If you have already developed a diabetic wound, make sure that you change the dressings regularly, daily if needed, or as per your doctor’s recommendations.

Ask your doctor about diabetes wound healing ointment as well as an antibiotic ointment for diabetes wounds. Make sure that you maintain the appropriate amount of moisture level in the wound area, as suggested by your doctor.

3. Remove any dead tissue if you spot it

Dead skin cells as well as the building up of excess tissues can often take place near a wound area, especially near a diabetic wound site.

This can lead to the growth of bacteria as well as release toxins and make the wound more serious. Instead of doing it yourself, visit your doctor and ask for help in removing the dead tissues. 

4. Reduce pressure in the lower parts of the limbs

If you have noticed any injury or wound in the lower limbs, keep the pressure off or keep it to a complete minimum. This will help to avoid any further wear and tear to the affected area and the skin and tissues surrounding it.

Wear shoes that are comfortable and will not increase the pressure. 

5. Monitor your blood glucose levels

People with poor control of blood glucose levels are at a higher risk of developing diabetes-related wounds and complications. Monitor your blood glucose levels daily and try and follow your diabetes health care team’s advice to manage the levels better.  

6. Boost your immunity

In addition to the above, inculcate healthy routines and lifestyles as part of your daily routine. Eat healthily and include foods that boost your immunity, exercise regularly as suggested by your doctor, and quit or reduce smoking and alcohol consumption to the minimum. 

Diabetes Wound Treatment

People who have diabetes must give more attention to their wounds so that they can heal faster and prevent the wounds from getting serious. 

  • Clean even the smallest of wounds and cover it with a clean bandage. Do this every day, or as suggested by your doctor, to ensure there is no further contamination by outside sources.
  • Ask your doctor about wound healing ointment for diabetes.
  • If you have developed a wound on your feet, ask your doctor about ointment for diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Use the ointments as suggested by your doctor.
  • Wear socks and shoes or sandals especially if there is a wound. If you are barefoot, it will increase your risk of infection or further contamination. 
  • In case your wound is not better within the first few days, ask your doctor about any oral medication you may need to take. 
  • In severe cases, doctors may suggest hospitalization to hold the contamination. 

Why Diabetes Patients Wounds Not Healing?

Diabetes patients often have poor blood circulation, where the blood circulation and oxygen supply to different parts of the body do not take place as they ideally should.

This makes it difficult for the body to naturally heal any wound, and it becomes more difficult and takes a long time for any wound to heal. 

Does High Blood Pressure Affect Wound Healing?

In the case of hypertension, blood and oxygen are not able to reach all parts of the body as they should, and as a result, it takes longer for the body to help heal the wound. 

The key to avoiding any risks as a result of diabetic wounds is to regularly examine your body and look for any signs of injury or wound, no matter how small.

If you notice anything different or feel any discomfort, immediately schedule an appointment with your diabetes healthcare team, so that you get the right treatment, right from the start.   

- By Fitterfly Health-Team
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