Do you know how to properly care for a foot wound? The answer might surprise you.
We can be as careful as possible and we’re still going to go through life dealing with bumps, bruises, and cuts. When you step on a nail or a piece of glass, for example, the wound needs proper care and attention to make sure it doesn’t get infected. Those with diabetes or nerve damage in their feet are particularly prone to complications related to open wounds. Our Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, podiatrists Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi Dr. Neil Patel provide immediate wound care to both diabetic and non-diabetic patients to reduce their risk for infections and other complications.
Wound Care at Our Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, Clinic
We know that certain health problems such as diabetes or poor circulation in your feet could slow the healing process. This is why it’s important to turn to our specialists if you are dealing with a wound. After all, a wound requires specialized care beyond what you might do for a simple cut or burn.
When you come into our practice, Dr. Ricciardi and Dr. Patel will go through your medical history and ask you questions about your health. By understanding your health problems and risk factors we can employ the appropriate treatment options and measures to maximize healing while minimizing the potential for complications.
The Steps Involved in Wound Care
There are many steps to ensure and reduce your risk for infection. Some ways to improve wound healing are:
- Proper disinfection and cleaning of the wound immediately after injury
- Applying antimicrobial dressings to the wound
- Applying antibiotic cream to prevent infection
- Removing debris and dirt from the wound through a process known as debridement
- Making sure that you are wearing the appropriate shoes that will take the pressure off the wound
It’s important that you are looking for possible signs of infection like swelling, red streaks around the wound, fever, and chills. An infection will require immediate care from our podiatrists. You should also seek wound care treatment from our team of podiatrists if:
- The wound is extremely painful
- It won’t stop bleeding after applying pressure for 10 minutes
- The wound is more than a half-inch deep or long
- The wound has dirt and debris in it
- You have diabetes, nerve damage in your feet, or poor circulation
- The wound is the result of a bite
- You are due for a tetanus shot
As podiatrists providing care to the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, areas, Dr. Ricciardi and Dr. Patel have recognized that many people don’t know how to properly address and care for wounds, particularly ones of the feet. Instead of rushing to the ER, our team here at Emerald Coast Podiatry can provide you with the immediate and customized care you need when issues arise.
To learn more about our wound care services, or to schedule an appointment, call Emerald Coast Podiatry at (850) 862-4119, or (850) 682-6522.