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Suggest Treatment For Open Blisters On The Toes
Question: I have an 87 year old friend who has a toe that had a blister on it and broke open. Now it is draining. This has been going on for about two weeks. I tried to convince her to go to a dr but she keeps saying its getting better.
She has diabetes and I am afraid she could lose the toe if nothing is done about it. What can I do to help her?
She has diabetes and I am afraid she could lose the toe if nothing is done about it. What can I do to help her?
Brief Answer:
convince her to see a doctor
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is very understandable for you to be concerned.
The mere fact that she is a diabetic means that she should see a doctor.
A diabetic with an infected area on any aspect of the feet or hands needs to be reviewed because of the risk of amputation as you mentioned, this is a very distinct possibility of there is not adequate treatment.
Diabetes affects the immune system, it reduces the ability to fight infections.
She would likely need at least a course of antibiotics and the area may need to be cleaned to prevent the spread of infection to the rest of the foot.
There is no at home care that can be started to replace this assessment. The best help would be convincing her to see someone though you have already tried.
If there are any other persons that can help you with this effort, that would be good, even a call from her doctor.
Failing that, cleaning the area with antiseptics 2 to 3 times a day, applying topical antibiotics at least twice daily would help slightly but would not be as effective as oral antibiotics and removing any infected superficial skin areas.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
convince her to see a doctor
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is very understandable for you to be concerned.
The mere fact that she is a diabetic means that she should see a doctor.
A diabetic with an infected area on any aspect of the feet or hands needs to be reviewed because of the risk of amputation as you mentioned, this is a very distinct possibility of there is not adequate treatment.
Diabetes affects the immune system, it reduces the ability to fight infections.
She would likely need at least a course of antibiotics and the area may need to be cleaned to prevent the spread of infection to the rest of the foot.
There is no at home care that can be started to replace this assessment. The best help would be convincing her to see someone though you have already tried.
If there are any other persons that can help you with this effort, that would be good, even a call from her doctor.
Failing that, cleaning the area with antiseptics 2 to 3 times a day, applying topical antibiotics at least twice daily would help slightly but would not be as effective as oral antibiotics and removing any infected superficial skin areas.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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