People with diabetes often notice that their skin gets itchy, dry, and is easily injured. Dry, itchy skin easily cracks, leading to compromised skin. Bacteria and germs can get into the skin cracks, feed on the elevated glucose in the body, and cause infection. People with diabetes have poor blood circulation, which means the body is slower to heal wounds. A person with diabetes may not even notice an injury until he or she already has an infection. Infections that are not healed quickly may lead to gangrened skin. This can lead to amputation. Preventing infections and taking proper care of wounds, cuts, scrapes, and bruises are critical for those with diabetes.

The hands and feet of people with diabetes are particularly susceptible to infection because blood circulation is poorest at the extremities. It is crucial for people with diabetes to thoroughly check their hands and feet for cracks, cuts, or any other injuries so that wounds can be cared for immediately to prevent infections. If you are caring for someone with diabetes, be sure to perform regular checks f the feet, hands, and other parts of your loved one’s body.

Help Prevent Infection with Daily Care

• Clean the skin thoroughly, especially on the feet, making sure nothing has come in contact that could damage the skin and potentially lead to infection.
• Moisturize the skin regularly, with specific focus on the extremities (feet, hands), to prevent dry skin from developing cracks in which infection can grow.
• Monitor skin regularly for dry patches and skin cracks. If found, clean and moisturize the area. Treat with antibiotic ointment and bandages as necessary.

Treating Cuts & Scrapes

Treating cuts/scrapes and skin cracks are extremely important for consumers with diabetes, as an infected wound could lead to more serious side effects.

• Clean the injured area to remove any dirt or debris. Use a product such as antiseptic wash which relieves pain as it fights germs. Ensure open skin area is thoroughly cleaned using sterile gauze pads, to wipe down the area, removing any dirt and germs the wound may have come in contact with. Try gauze pads or a clean cloth.
• Treat the wound with an antibiotic ointment to help prevent the wound from infection.
• Protect the area completely with:

1. Non-stick gauze pads or pads to protect and cushion.
2. To firmly secure pad in place and to help seal out dirt and germs, wrap the covered wound with a gauze wrap.

How to Tell if a Wound is Infected

Check with your doctor immediately if a wound appears to become infected. Some of the ways to tell if a wound is infected include:

• Red and swollen skin around the wound
• Drainage or a foul odor
• Warm skin around the area as compared to nearby skin or skin on the opposite extremity

Infections can seriously affect the control of your blood sugar and can quickly lead to other serious complications.