Healing a wound or ulceration can be a frustrating and challenging experience for both the patient and the treating physicians and surgeons.
A comprehensive approach to healing often may incorporated a podiatrist, vascular surgeon, primary care physician and dietician and at times an infectious disease specialist.
What are things you can do to help your wound heal?
- Control your glucose and know your A1c. High glucose levels are known to impede wound healing.
- Avoid or quit tobacco usage all together. Tobacco use causes poor circulation which deprives a wound from oxygen.
- Find ways to minimize pressure. Your foot specialist may use a combination of special surgical shoes, canes, crutches, walkers or boots to increase the chance of healing faster.
- Keep daily activities to a minimum. Give your body a better chance to heal and recover.
- Know your wound care product and how to apply it properly. It is good to know how the wound should be treated prior to and after application of wound product. Also just how much of the product should be used and how should it be applied. More product is not always best and application of wound care products should be very meticulous and according to the instructions provided by your wound care specialist.
- Monitor your wound or ulceration for local signs of infection and call your provider immediately if the wound should change in characteristics such as a change in odor, drainage or surrounding redness and swelling.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family for support whether it is applying wound care products or picking up extra tasks that ultimately will lead to a greater chance of healing.
- Keep your appointments with all your specialists and bring a completed medication list and list of allergies to every visit.
- Understand your nutrition status and discuss with your wound specialist elements of nutrition and whether a consultation to a nutritionist/dietician is needed.
