Comprehensive Guide to Podiatric Wound Care: Essential Practices and Protocols
Getting cut, bruised, or scraped on the foot is a common thing but do you know how to properly take care of these types of wounds? Learn 5 essential practices of foot wound care to manage your wound properly and lower the risk of infection.
5 Essential practices for foot wound care
Here are some essential practices to keep your foot wound secure from infection and improve healing. It includes:
- Make sure there is no pressure on the wound:
When pressure is applied to the wound, it may cause more issues for the patient (such as causing ulcers and reduced healing). That’s why wounds need to have limited or no pressure on them. This may make it tough for the patient to deal with regular activities like walking and standing.
However, podiatrists recommend special shoes for this type of situation or the use of a wheelchair while the foot wound heals. This can reduce the risk of pressure and friction that is applied to the wound. Negative pressure treatment is also an option to boost healing.
- Cleaning the wound:
This is important to protect your wound from infection. To clean a cut or scrape, you need to clean the wound with sterile saline and antibacterial soap. If the wound is still dirty after this step, then first irrigate the wound (by using a 1% povidone-iodine solution and then mix 10% povidone-iodine parts with water). Make the wound dry (dry it with gauze and apply light pressure if necessary).
If there’s an ulcer, then clean and dry it. To clean it you can wash your ulcer daily with a mild soap and warm water and change its dressings properly to cover the ulcer.
- Wound dressing:
Foot wounds need regular attention when it comes to dressing. The dressing should be secured properly and kept in place with adhesives. To prevent infections, you can apply antibiotic creams and ointments. Only apply a thin layer on the wound and if it causes a rash, discontinue it. Use waterproof tape to keep the dressing in place to help them in the healing process.
An uncovered cut or scrape may increase the risk of infection. That’s why securing the wound with gauze, and then wrapping a fabric bandage over or around the foot is important. As early as you start taking care of your wound/injury, your body starts the healing process.
- Debridement:
After proper dressing, you can visit a podiatrist who may do debridement. It is a process of removing any dead skin or tissue to boost your healing process. They will also clean the wound and apply medication and bandage to the wound. Some wounds may need air to get dry especially if they drain. Avoid soaking or any kind of water therapy.
- Signs that you need to see a podiatrist right away
You may need to visit a podiatrist if your wound:
- doesn’t stop bleeding after 5-10 minutes of pressure.
- occur due to a puncture wound.
- is very painful.
- is very deep and may need stitches.
- has signs of infection such as swelling and releasing green or yellow fluid or the area around the wound is tender. Other signs are body aches, chills, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.
- is caused by an animal or human bite.
- if you have neuropathy or poor circulation.
- if you have diabetes.
These are the essential foot care practices that you should follow to take care of your foot wounds. It helps you prevent infection and boost the healing process. In case you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, see a podiatrist right now for proper medical attention.
If you have a foot wound or injury and need medical attention, come to our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn. Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing a Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you’re in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email to info@podiatristsbrooklyn.com.