Information for the public
Diabetic foot ulcer
Diabetic foot ulcer
If you have a diabetic foot ulcer, your healthcare professional should check the size and depth of the ulcer and look for signs of infection and other problems.
Treatment for diabetic foot ulcers involves 1 or more of the following:
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offloading, in which a plaster cast is used to take pressure off the ulcer and help with healing
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treating any foot infection with antibiotics
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making sure the foot has a good blood supply
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clearing away the dead, damaged and infected skin from the ulcer (the medical name for this is debridement)
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using dressings while the ulcer heals.
The treatment will depend on how severe the ulcer is, where it is, and what you would prefer.
You'll need to have regular appointments as part of your treatment plan – how often will depend on your overall health, how well the ulcer heals, and whether any other problems develop.