People who have diabetes need to pay special attention to any foot wound as it can heal slowly. This can become a serious concern. Due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, skin blisters and cuts can become more severe in the form of an infection. Here are five reasons why diabetic foot wounds heal slowly.
5 Reasons Why Diabetic Foot Wounds Heal Slowly
1. High Levels of Blood Sugar
When the levels of blood sugar are high, it prevents oxygen and nutrients from providing your cells with energy. It also affects the immune system. As a result, the cells in your body get increased inflammation. This slows down the healing of foot wounds.
2. Deficiency of Immune System
Many people with diabetes have trouble in the activation of their immune system. The immune cells that help in healing foot wounds become lower in number. If the immune system cannot function in a proper way, the healing of the foot wound will become slower.
3. Neuropathy
High blood sugar and diabetes can result in nerve damage. This is referred to as diabetic neuropathy. It causes numbness and tingling that will make it difficult for you to feel if you have an injury. Neuropathy can therefore result in slow healing of foot wounds.
4. Infection
Diabetes can make your immune system weak. That is why your body will find it difficult to fight against bacteria. This can cause an infection in your diabetic foot wound.
5. Problems in Circulation
Blood circulation at the site of the wound is essential. Diabetes results in narrow blood vessels that reduce the oxygen that reaches the wound. Therefore, the tissues will not heal quickly. As a result, your foot wound will take more time to heal.
Conclusion
Book an appointment with Dr. Chetan Oswal at Orthowin Foot and Ankle Clinic, Pune who treats foot and ankle problems and advise you on how best to prevent and care for diabetic foot wounds.