How to Take Care of Foot Wounds

Foot wounds are a significant problem for some patients, particularly those who have other health concerns. We are committed to helping patients who need podiatric wound care. Learn how you can best take care of foot wounds with the help of a podiatrist and also learn how to prevent wounds from reoccurring.

Foot Wound Concerns
Podiatrists are very concerned about foot wounds because certain patients aren’t able to heal from wounds as easily and quickly as others — namely those who have diabetes and circulation problems. Wounds can turn into ulcers that become infected and painful. Without proper care, an ulcer can become a more serious problem. Foot wounds can also start from seemingly minor issues, like ingrown toenails or foot fungus, which is why it’s important to visit a podiatrist regularly for check-ups.

Taking Care of Foot Wounds
A foot wound should be tended to, immediately, before it has a chance to become infected. If you’re a diabetic patient, as soon as a wound is visually detected, it should be examined by your podiatrist—no matter how small. Here are a few things to know about foot wound care:

• The dead tissue must be safely removed to allow new healthy skin to form.
• Antibiotics may need to be administered to eliminate an infection.
• In the case of a severe ulcer, some of the muscle or even bone may need to be removed or shaved down in a surgical procedure.

Preventing Future Wounds
You can prevent future foot wounds by adopting simple daily habits. Here are a few tips for preventing wounds:

• Wear dry, comfortable socks or slippers around your home and avoid walking around barefoot.
• Washing your feet and toes with warm water and mild soap daily is fine as long as there are no ulcerations or open wounds on the feet. A wound or ulceration should never be submerged in water.
• Apply a quality moisturizing cream to your feet daily.
• If you are diabetic or have circulation issues you should not try to trim your toenails at home as it can be dangerous. This is done in our office to prevent complications.
• Examine the feet regularly with a mirror.
• Ask your foot doctor about custom orthotics or orthopedic shoes that will help prevent future wounds.