Diabetic Wounds Specialist
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Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center
Infectious Disease Physicians & Wound Care Specialists located in Ocala, FL
Diabetic wounds typically appear on your feet, where even a small cut or abrasion can quickly turn into a slow-healing ulcer. Once this type of wound develops, you need specialized care to promote healing and prevent infections. As an expert in wound therapy, Haris Mirza, MD, at Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center treats diabetic wounds with today’s most advanced dressings and healing therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. They serve patients living around The Villages, Citrus County, Lake County, and Sumter County, so call the office in Ocala, Florida, or schedule an appointment online at the first signs of a slow-healing wound.
Diabetic Wounds Q&A
How does diabetes cause slow-healing wounds?
Without careful daily management, diabetes causes high blood sugar. As the excessive sugar circulates through your body, it damages small blood vessels, which diminishes blood flow to the nearby tissues.
All wounds need a good supply of blood to heal. Blood provides the oxygen, nutrients, and regenerative cells required to repair the wound.
Even a small cut won’t heal normally when diabetes damages your blood vessels. Cuts and abrasions develop into ulcers and slow-healing ulcers continue to enlarge as the healthy skin around the edges progressively deteriorates.
As a result, diabetic wounds put you at risk for skin and bone infections. These infections are the top cause of nontraumatic foot amputations.
Why do diabetic wounds occur on my feet?
Though a diabetic wound can develop anywhere on your body, they most commonly appear on your feet due to peripheral neuropathy. About half of all people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage.
Peripheral neuropathy starts in your feet, where it often causes numbness. When you can’t feel the pain of a cut, or you don’t notice excessive friction or pressure on your foot, the problem goes untreated and quickly develops into a slow-healing wound.
Since you may not experience pain, it’s important to watch for other signs of a diabetic wound, such as drainage on your socks, redness, and swelling.
How are diabetic wounds treated?
Daily foot care allows you to catch cuts and foot sores early, while you can get medical care and prevent a serious wound. Once you develop a slow-healing wound or an infection, however, you need the expert treatment provided by Dr. Mirza at Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center.
Dr. Mirza provides individualized care that includes helping you prevent future wounds by managing your diabetes and keeping your blood sugar under control.
Your customized wound care includes options such as:
- Wound debridement
- Wound cleaning
- Advanced dressings
- Antibiotic therapy
- Bioengineered tissue substitutes
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Negative pressure wound therapy
- Offloading to eliminate pressure
- Total contact casting
- Nutritional screening
- Diabetic foot care education
Dr. Mirza also performs a complete diagnostic evaluation to determine if you have other underlying conditions that may contribute to your slow-healing wound.
For example, you may have a vascular condition that affects blood flow to your feet. When necessary, Dr. Mirza refers you to a vascular specialist, orthopedic surgeon, or podiatrist.
If you develop a diabetic wound, call Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center or book an appointment online as soon as possible.