Red Flags That Indicate Your Diabetic Wound Needs Urgent Care

Patients who are diabetic must be more vigilant in attending to their full body health status for all matters, including any wound care. Even small injuries (cuts, skin blisters, scratches) can quickly become serious if they become infected or if they do not heal well. Diabetes improperly limits blood flow, reduces the function of nerves in the area of the body where the injury is located, prevents the body from responding to infections (i.e., white blood cells), and limits oxygen and nutrients to the area where healing is needed. Delayed treatment can cause significant complications such as an infection, damage to the tissue around the injured area, or amputation should the infection enter the bloodstream.

Persistent Redness and Swelling Around the Wound

After an injury, mild redness is normal; however, if the redness continues to expand or if there is a noticeable increase in the degree of inflammation, the patient may have developed an infection. The patient with diabetes may also note that swelling does not reduce within a few days after injury; therefore, his/her body is not healing properly. When poor circulation occurs in the patient with diabetes, this limits the ability for blood to transmit oxygen and nutrients to the injured tissue, which is necessary for the decrease of bacteria at the injury site. If the skin surrounding the injury seems warm and/or painful on palpation, the patient should be seen by the physician for a medical evaluation as soon as possible. If these symptoms are not evaluated quickly, there is the potential for the infection to migrate deeper into the patient's body.

Unusual Drainage Or Foul Smell

Normally, healthy wounds produce very little clear fluid as they heal. However, when excessive drainage occurs or pus is seen in the wound, this could be a sign of serious infection or other problems. Discharge that is yellow, green, or cloudy in color can be a sign of bacteria in the wound. A strong odor coming from the wound can also be a reason to seek help quickly. With diabetic wounds, infections can occur very quickly because elevated blood sugar levels can cause the body’s immune system to become weakened. If bacteria multiply in a wound, and no medical treatment is provided, there may be increased damage to tissue in the area.

Delayed Healing Beyond Normal Timeframes

Unlike healthy wounds, which generally heal within one week after injury, diabetic wounds may develop into non-healing or deteriorating wounds due to decreased blood flow and lack of sensation (nerve damage). Patients who do not notice that the edges of their wounds are coming together, that there is any growth of new skin, or that the area around the sore remains unchanged from day to day require professional medical intervention. The doctor may look for elevated blood sugar levels, problems with circulation to the lower extremities, and/or may check for the presence of hidden infections that are causing the patient’s wounds not to heal as expected. Seeking immediate medical attention also improves the patient’s chances of having a better recovery than if people wait until after the infection affects deeper structures or systemic parts of their body.

Increasing Pain or Tenderness

Some diabetics have a diminished sense of feeling due to neuropathy; however, any increase in pain around a wound should alert you to the need for more careful examination. Pain may become sharper, throbbing, or more difficult to tolerate, possibly suggesting an increase in inflammation/infection. Even for a diabetic with numbness in their legs or feet, the acute onset of tenderness should alarm them. Wounds can also be infected internally without any obvious external visible signs; infections may spread under the skin with no possibility of seeing them developing until they are internally infected. Walking may cause discomfort or pressure to be felt at the site of the wound. Finally, redness, swelling, or warmth associated with the presence of pain should never be overlooked.

Skin Discoloration or Blackened Tissue

Signs such as fever, chilliness, extreme tiredness, or weakness represent a progression of infection from a diabetic wound. The presence of these signs implies that the bacteria from the diabetic wound may have entered the patient's bloodstream, resulting in a potentially life-threatening condition. Nonetheless, the diabetic infection will worsen internally long before there are significant external changes present. Additional signs indicative of a serious infection include an increase in heart rate or confusion/dizziness. Therefore, anybody experiencing signs of fever along with a diabetic wound should seek immediate medical attention.

The End

Delayed healing, redness, swelling, unusual drainage, increasing pain, discoloration, fever, and/or numbness are clear warning signs that require immediate attention from a healthcare professional. It is essential that all diabetic patients keep their blood sugar levels stable, follow good hygiene, and regularly inspect their skin for any problems. Therefore, anybody experiencing signs of fever along with a diabetic wound should seek immediate expert diabetic wound care in Dallas.