If you discover a ulcer on your foot, it is important that you are seen by a doctor or nurse.
They will then assess whether you can handle the treatment yourself or if it requires help.
Perhaps you initially think that your ulcer is small and superficial, but it can actually be deeper than it seems, and therefore require professional help.
And regardless of whether you enter into treatment or whether you care for your ulcer yourself, you must monitor the ulcer and surrounding area.
And you should always follow the treatment and recommendation that have been made concerning taking pressure off your feet.
Your sense of feeling may be reduced, and it may be due to neuritis.
Therefore, you cannot rely on feeling pain, pressure or heat around your ulcer.
Therefore, use your eyes, hands and sense of smell carefully to monitor both the ulcer and the skin around your ulcer.
And your ulcer must always be protected by a plaster or dressing, because this prevents bacteria and impurities from entering the ulcer.
It is also important that you change the plaster or dressing if your ulcer produces fluid.
And you must remember to ensure that your plaster or dressing does not suddenly wrinkle, roll or give pressure marks.
It is your treatment provider who determines whether or not you can shower with the plaster.
If you are to keep the plaster on when bathing, you must be aware that it can come lose around the edges.
If this happens while bathing, it must be replaced immediately after, this ensures that the ulcer and the skin around the ulcer are not completely eroded.
It is important that you apply a rich foot cream to your foot daily to prevent dryness and cracks.
The better and more you take care of your ulcer and take the various precautions, the faster it will heal.
If you experience signs of worsening, you must contact your doctor or home nurse.
You need to respond to a lot of things along the way.
For example, you should react if your ulcer starts producing more fluid or has an unpleasant odour.
This can be a sign of sepsis in the ulcer.
Redness, heat, swelling and tenderness in the area can also be a sign of sepsis in the ulcer.
If you experience that your foot or your lower leg swells, it could aggravate your ulcer or cause new ulcers.
You must therefore pay close attention to new swelling.
If your skin around the ulcer reacts with a whitish colour, it may be an indication that the skin is completely eroded, almost severely chafed.
If you get fever and your blood sugar fluctuates with high values, you must be aware that this may be a worsening of your ulcer, and then you must contact your doctor or home nurse.
For more information go to www.helbredsprofilen.dk
