Dressing changes for a diabetic foot wound
diabetic foot · foot dressing changes in diabetes · foot ulcer in diabetes · foot wound treatment
A nurse or doctor cleans the wound on your foot, removes dead tissue, and puts on a dressing. This is repeated regularly until the wound heals.
For ulcers and wounds on the foot in people with diabetes.
⏱ Duration: a dressing change usually takes 15 to 40 minutes; treatment lasts weeks to months
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Off-loading. Do not put weight on the wound. Use the off-loading shoe or dressing your doctor prescribed.
- Sugar. Keep your sugar in the target range, since healing depends on it.
- Shoes. Soft shoes without seams, with room for the dressing.
What to bring
- A glucose meter or sugar records
- A list of your medicines
- Your off-loading shoe
- An ID
How it goes
- The old dressing is removed
- The wound is rinsed and examined
- Dead tissue is carefully removed
- The wound is treated and a new dressing is put on
- The doctor assesses how healing is going
- You are told when the next dressing change is
What you'll feel
- With diabetes you often feel little pain, which does not mean the wound is harmless
- Cleaning the wound can sometimes be unpleasant
- It is usually bearable
Afterwards
- Keep the dressing dry and do not take it off yourself
- Check both feet every day, using a mirror
- Do not walk barefoot
- Come for dressing changes on schedule
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A fever or chills
- Redness that spreads, swelling, or a bad smell
- The foot became cold, pale, or black: see a doctor urgently
- Sugar is very high and does not come down
Common questions
Why does the wound take so long to heal?
With diabetes, blood supply and protection from infection are weaker. Off-loading, sugar control, and regular dressing changes help.
Can I treat the wound at home with ointments?
Do not use any products without your doctor's order. Wrong care can make the wound worse.