Ask the Experts: "My sister is diabetic and has a sore that never heals..."
 Peter Wolff, MD, General Surgery Cascade Surgeons |
Q: My sister is diabetic and she has a sore on her foot that just never seems to heal. Should I be worried? Why won't it close up? How can I encourage her to see a doctor?
A: First of all, it's good you noticed her non-healing wound. Many people simply ignore the problem and hope it will go away. Without proper treatment, this type of sore can get much worse.
People with diabetes are at risk for serious foot problems. Diabetes impairs circulations and the circulatory system provides healing and nourishment to our body. With diabetics, a simple injury--something like a cut or a blister from a poorly fitting shoe--can lead to an ulcer or serious infection. Sadly, some 55,000 amputations per year occur because of an injury that went untreated or started out as a simple problem.
Talk with your sister about your concerns. As a general rule, diabetics should see a health care professional if they see any cut, sore, bruise, or blister that doesn't begin to heal within two days.
Non-healing wounds need special attention. Cascade Valley Hospital, Arlington, has a Wound Care Center specializing in helping those with diabetes. The staff has been treating chronic non-healing wounds for more than eight years. As a member of Curative Wound Care, Cascade Valley Hospital participates in a network that has successfully healed more than 1 million wounds nationwide.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.