Diabetics are more prone to injuries due to high blood sugar. Several diabetes wound medications in pharmacies are usually used to treat this condition. However, for treatment to be effective, the selection of these drugs needs to be adjusted to the degree of diabetic ulcers.
Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. This condition can make sufferers experience blood vessel disorders so that the body is easily injured and the wound healing process is also slower.
In addition, diabetes can cause nerve damage that keeps the sufferer from feeling pain when injured, so the wound is often only recognized and treated when the condition is severe.
To treat diabetic wounds, doctors will recommend that sufferers use diabetes wound drugs at pharmacies. These drugs function to treat wounds, prevent wound aggravation and accelerate wound healing.
Diabetic Wound Degree
Before discussing diabetic wound medications that are sold in pharmacies, you need to first understand the degree of diabetic ulcers based on their severity. Although wounds can occur in any part of the body, diabetics are more likely to experience wounds in the leg area.
The type of injury experienced can be a scratch or abrasion. However, if left untreated, these wounds tend to get worse quickly and easily. Based on the severity, diabetes wounds are divided into several degrees, namely:
- Grade 1: Sores on the surface of the skin, such as blisters, calluses, or lacerations
- Grade 2: Ulcers or open sores without pus
- Grade 3: Ulcers with pus
- Grade 4: The wound is decaying (gangrene)
Various Types of Diabetic Wound Drugs in Pharmacies
Treatment of wounds caused by diabetes with drugs at the pharmacy needs to be adjusted to the degree of severity. Wounds that are still mild usually only require simple self-care.
If you have formed ulcers or ulcers, diabetic wounds require treatment and wound care from a doctor. After that, the doctor will tell you how to treat the wound properly at home, including changing bandages regularly and using the medical ointment.
To help wound healing, the following are types of diabetes wound medications in pharmacies that are commonly used to treat and prevent wound aggravation:
1. Liquid NaCl 0.9%
Infusion fluids containing 0.9% NaCl are used to clean and remove dead tissue in wounds. This procedure is good for supporting the formation of new tissue, so that wound healing can be faster.
The process of cleaning a wound by removing dead tissue is called debridement. This action is performed by a doctor or medical officer when the wound is in the form of an ulcer.
2. Antibiotics
If there is a complication of bacterial infection in the wound, diabetics need to use antibiotics. For example, topical antibiotics in the form of creams or ointments. The goal is to prevent bacterial growth and accelerate wound healing.
However, if the infection is severe enough to cause symptoms, such as fever or festering sores, the doctor will also prescribe oral antibiotics or take antibiotics.
3. Antiseptic
Diabetes wound medicine at other pharmacies is an antiseptic. This solution is useful for cleaning and killing germs that cause wounds. An example of an antiseptic that can be used for wounds is povidone iodine or alcohol.
However, the use of antiseptics is only recommended on the skin around the wound, not on the wound. This is because antiseptics can damage the tissue in the wound.
4. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid also includes diabetes wound medications that can be purchased at pharmacies. This medication is available in the form of a gel, cream, or patch. Its use is not for open wounds, but to treat diabetic wounds in the form of calluses.
5. Wound gel
Diabetic wound medication in the form of a gel can also be purchased at a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. Medicines for diabetic wounds generally contain colloid, glycerin, cellulose, or sodium hyaluronic acid.
All of these substances function to keep diabetic wounds moist and support the healing process. Therefore, this drug is usually applied when the wound is to be covered with a bandage after the debridement procedure.
6. Platelet Derived Growth Factors (PDGF)
PDGF is a substance that can stimulate new cell growth. Topical medications containing PDGF are useful for treating and accelerating the healing process of diabetic wounds.
One example of this drug is becaplermin in gel form. This drug requires a prescription from a doctor and is usually applied to diabetic wounds after debridement.
In addition to taking diabetes medication at the pharmacy, diabetics must continue to use diabetes medications that have been prescribed by a doctor. This is because the treatment of wounds and the healing process will not be effective if blood sugar levels are not stable.
Diabetics are also advised to do the following to prevent the worsening of wound conditions, namely:
- Clean the wound regularly
- Treat wounds hygienically
- Cover the wound using a bandage
- Wear footwear both inside and outside the house
- Carry out routine controls to the doctor according to the recommendations
- Choosing foods and managing the right diet for diabetes
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, and meeting fluid needs
If the wound has not healed in 1 week or has gotten worse even though you have used diabetes wound medicine sold at the pharmacy, you need to immediately check with your doctor to get treatment and care according to the condition of the wound.