Diabetic Ulcer

About 15% of people with diabetes experience a diabetic ulcer at one time or another. Treatment can prevent the wound from worsening, reduce the risk of infection, and speed healing. At Restore Wound Healing in Rockwall, Texas, wound care specialist Lince Varughese, MD, and his team have decades of experience diagnosing and treating diabetic ulcers. While the office is based in Rockwall, the practice also sees patients from surrounding areas. Call Restore Wound Healing today to schedule diabetic ulcer treatment, or book your appointment online.

What is a diabetic ulcer?

A diabetic ulcer is a slow-healing, open wound that forms in the lower extremities –– the legs, feet, or toes. They occur because of unchecked diabetes.

Diabetes is a group of diseases affecting how your body uses blood sugar. When sugar builds up in the bloodstream, it can cause permanent nerve damage, especially in the legs and feet. 

If the nerves in your legs and feet don’t function well, you might not feel it if you cut yourself or step on something sharp. That break in your skin can cause a wound or ulcer, increasing the risk of infection. 

Diabetes also increases the risk of vascular disease. Because good blood flow is necessary for wound healing, diabetic ulcers often take longer to heal.

What are the symptoms of a diabetic ulcer?

Diabetic ulcer symptoms include:

• An open wound on the lower legs, feet, or toes
• Redness, warmth, and swelling
• Pain
• Skin changes, such as scales, cracks, and discoloration

If the wound is infected, it might ooze pus and smell bad.

How is a diabetic ulcer diagnosed?

Dr. Varughese reviews your medical records and asks about your diabetes, including when you were diagnosed, what type you have, and if you take medication to manage it. 

Next, Dr. Varughese examines the ulcer, assessing its location, borders, size, and surrounding skin’s appearance. A visual exam is usually enough to diagnose a diabetic ulcer; however, Dr. Varughese might also collect a biopsy (tissue sample) to check for infection and take X-rays to see if the ulcer extends beneath your skin.

How are diabetic ulcers treated?

At Restore Wound Healing, Dr. Varughese uses an integrative, minimally invasive approach to treat diabetic ulcers. He could suggest:

• Cleaning the wound with Vashe® to eliminate germs and bacteria
• Vaporox therapy to accelerate wound closure and promote healing
• Applying Juven®, a therapeutic collagen powder, to the wound to speed up healing
• Using Theraworx®, a line of topical skin products, to dress and protect the wound
• Oral antibiotics to prevent infection
• Draining the wound (if there’s an abscess)
• Durable medical equipment, like custom orthotics, to relieve pressure on the ulcer
• Elevating your foot
• Wound debridement to remove dead or diseased tissue

Most diabetic ulcers benefit from several treatments. The goal is to prevent infection, stop the wound from growing, and promote healing. 

Call Restore Wound Healing today to schedule diabetic ulcer treatment, or book your appointment online.