Learn about diabetic wound care, ulcer treatment, and prevention tips from the experts at Deniel Foot & Ankle Center
Did you know that your feet have more sweat glands than your armpits?
That’s right—while you are stressing over underarm sweat, your feet are quietly winning the moisture Olympics. But here is the not-so-fun part: if you have diabetes, those hardworking feet are ground zero for serious trouble. What starts as a tiny cut snowball turns into a nightmare scenario if ignored. Let us walk through the scary-but-true timeline of untreated wounds and diabetes, and how to slam the brakes on disaster with expert diabetic wound care from our Houston podiatrist at Deniel Foot & Ankle Center.
Stage 1: The “It’s Just a Little Cut” Phase
You bump your foot on the coffee table. No big deal, right? Except with diabetes, minor injuries are anything but minor. High blood sugar numbs nerves (neuropathy), so you might not feel the wound. Meanwhile, poor circulation means your body’s repair crew arrives late to the job site.
Houston podiatrist tip: Check your feet daily like you’re searching for Waldo because red spots, blisters, or cracks need immediate attention.
Stage 2: The Silent Infection Party
That innocent cut is now a VIP lounge for bacteria. Warm, moist environments (hello, sweaty feet!) are their favorite nightclub. Since diabetes weakens your immune system, infections spread faster than gossip in a small town. You notice swelling, warmth, or a funky odor—your foot’s version of a smoke alarm.
Diabetic foot ulcersoften start here. When left untreated, the infection digs deeper, like a stubborn weed with roots.
Stage 3: The “Why Is There a Hole in My Foot?” Moment
The infection tunnels into muscles, tendons, or bones (osteomyelitis). Now you have got a crater that will not close, despite your best efforts with bandages and prayers. Pus, blackened edges, or fever mean the infection’s throwing a rager.
This is your last exit before the amputation highway.
Stage 4: Amputation—The Worst-Case Scenario
Every 20 seconds, someone loses a limb to diabetes. Let that sink in. It is not just “other people”—it could be you if wounds and diabetes are not managed aggressively. Amputation starts with a toe, but like destructive dominoes, it can lead to losing the foot or leg.
The good news? This is 100% preventable with diabetic wound care.
How to Stop the Timeline in Its Tracks
Treat Every Wound Like a Three-Alarm Fire
No “wait and see.” Clean it, cover it, and call your Houston podiatrist. At Deniel Foot & Ankle Center, we have debridement tools (fancy word for removing dead tissue) and antibiotic therapies to shut down infections fast.
Become a Blood Sugar Ninja
Uncontrolled glucose is like pouring gasoline on a wound. Work with your doctor to keep levels steady—your feet will thank you.
Upgrade Your Footwear Game
Skip the flip-flops. Diabetic shoes with extra depth and soft linings prevent blisters and pressure points. (Yes, they can be stylish.)
Schedule Regular Foot “Check-Ups”
Even if nothing hurts, see us every 2–3 months. We’ll spot trouble before you feel it—like a mechanic checking your car’s brakes before they fail.
Houston, We Have Solutions
At Deniel Foot & Ankle Center, we specialize in rescuing feet from the brink. From diabetic foot ulcers to stubborn infections, our team uses cutting-edge treatments like:
Do not wait until you are staring down amputation. If your foot’s sending SOS signals—pain, color changes, slow-healing sores—call us today. The best way to avoid losing a limb is to never start down that path in the first place.
Your feet carry you through life. Let us keep them in the game.
(And maybe lay off the barefoot walks—sweat glands or not, your feet deserve armor.)
Did you know that your love for sweet treats might be a hereditary trait? That’s right! Some studies suggest that your sweet tooth might be passed down from your parents. But while indulging in the occasional dessert is fine, when it comes to diabetes, your feet might not be as forgiving. If you are living with diabetes, you have heard the term “diabetic foot ulcers“. But what exactly are they, and why should you care? Let’s dive into diabetic wound care, diabetic ulcer treatment, and how the experts at Deniel Foot & Ankle Center in Houston can help you keep your feet happy and healthy.
A wound is considered non-healing if it is not cured within three months or it remains in the inflammatory stage for long. However, some factors determine the healing such as the condition of the wound or the health of an individual. If a wound does not heal fast a specialist should look at it because sometimes it is a reflection of an underlying disease. An external wound is painful with visible redness around the skin due to the disintegration of the tissue; there could be loss of the epidermis, dermis and sometimes subcutaneous fat. Types of wounds include cuts, scrapes, lacerations, abrasions, gashes, scratches, tears, floor burns, and bruises.
Stage I: Inflammatory stage, which is the first stage of the wound formation and it, attempts to restore normal state by forming blood vessels to control bleeding. At this stage, the wound appears red, swollen and is warm.
Stage II: The proliferative stage lasts about 3 weeks or longer depending on the severity of the wound. This is granulation where special cells known as fibroblasts make collagen fill the wound. New blood vessels start to form and a layer of skin gradually covers the wound.
Stage III: Remodeling and maturation stage can last up to two years. New collagen changes the skin around the wound forming a scar that is almost as strong as the original tissue.
Causes of nonhealing wounds
Infections by bacteria colonization which slows down the healing process of the wound.
Excess use of antibiotics has been cited as a problem leading to non-healing wounds.
Microbiology such as arterial insufficiency, pressure and venous insufficiency that reduces the capacity of the skin to repair itself causing a non-healing wound.
Wound treatment is effective because it promotes wound healing and reduces the risk of infection. If you are looking for some expert advice on wound care, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet
Debridement is the process of removing damaged or dead tissue and foreign objects from the wound.
Types of wound debridement
Biological debridement uses sterile maggots that digest the dead tissue and pathogens of the wound, giving space to the formation of new cells.
Enzymatic debridement uses a topical agent to chemically liquefy necrotic tissues with enzymes, which devitalize the tissues within the wound. This method can be used together with surgical debridement.
Autolytic debridement is long-term and works by maintaining moisture beneath a wound’s dressing using the body’s enzymes. Dressing absorbency is important in the maintenance of moisture.
Mechanical debridement by hydrotherapy technique and wet-to-dry dressing is cost-effective though it can cause damage to healthy tissues. The wet-to-dry dressing is changed every 4 to 6 hours.
Conservative sharp and surgical debridement is performed by a skilled practitioner who removes the biofilm and devitalized tissue. The level of debridement is determined by the level of tissue removal.
Nutritional supplements
Vitamin C and Aloe Vera through research have been found to play an active role in wound healing. Most diets are deficient in nutrients that enhance healing in the body. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system by increasing amino acid arginine, which activates metabolic functions to stimulate the cells to protect against bacteria. Aloe Vera can be applied or taken for internal wounds, it provides micronutrients that reduce pain and inflammation, and prevent infections. Turmeric has antioxidant properties that decrease inflammation and encourage healing by transforming the growth factor. Pineapples have a proteolytic enzyme that dissolves proteins and works best for wounds with too much scar tissue.
Seek wound care specialist services if the wound is split open and may need stitches when pain is severe and does not get better after taking painkillers and in case the wound is deep or it covers a large area. Seek immediate attention if the area around the wound looks infected. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. Our Cypress office can handle all of your wound care issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all wound-related issues.
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