Preventing and Treating Diabetic Sores and Ulcers Effectively.

Losing a lower limb due to complications from diabetes is very common.  You can prevent this easily with good skin care and early treatment of wounds. Most sores start as minor skin conditions which develop into ulcers that are difficult to heal. There are three important facts to know in managing and treating the skin and wounds of people with diabetes. They are as follows;

·         High glucose levels cause dry, cracked and easily irritated skins.

·         It is easy for infectious organisms to get into the body through cracks and wounds.

·         Diabetic wounds develop complications easily because diabetes causes damage to nerves (neuropathy) and this makes it difficult to feel pain from injuries to the limbs.

Here is an effective DIY treatment option that is also cheap.

Good skin management is the first step in preventing the sores or wounds in the first place. Keeping the skin highly moisturized with natural oils several times a day is crucial. Using shea butter alone or with coconut oil is very effective. Avoid using balms or lotions with menthol or skin irritants.

If a cut or scrape happens, early treatment is necessary.  Do not clean with alcohol or iodine because they are too harsh for the skin of those having this condition. Use water alone or with some mild soap, eusol, lime solution or diluted hydrogen peroxide. Use shea butter on the wound and coverwith a sterile gauze. Make sure the area is kept dry at all times. This also works well for those wounds which are deep. Healing is sure but may take some time, depending on the seriousness of the condition when this treatment option starts.

Using honey is said to be also good but getting pure natural honey is a big issue here in Nigeria. Most are just sugar caramels or a mixture of honey and caramel. If you live where shea butter is available, it should come first for your skin management and treatment when dealing with diabetes.

Most diabetic sores rot inside while the outside is covered by a thick and hard to remove film. This stops any treatment from reaching the flesh underneath and allows the infection to fester. To know if the flesh is healing, it must be pinkish. Any dark, whitish or grayish colour signifies that there is little no healing.

Noting these points will definitely safe your limb or life; or that of someone close to you.

Treating diabetic sores can be difficult! Please share your experience below or email yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on twitter @heal2bwell.