I just wanted some info to give my mom, cuz she feels awful because she put those sticky foot warmers on my step-dad to help keep his feet warm, and now he has a big open sore that won’t heal. He has diabetes. Yes, they’ve been to the doc. but it’s just taking forever to heal. Is there any info I can print on this particular problem to better educate her?
Well, this is going to sound gross but it has worked miracles with diabetic’s sores. It’s not a joke either, I am very serious. Maggot therapy is used by Doctors in some of the most severe cases on non-healing wounds. The Maggots are administered by the Physician and placed on/in the wound. The maggots actually eat the infected tissue, leaving the healthy tissue alone. The Dr. puts them in and removes them. It is painless and if the patient can get past the repulsion, he’ll find that his wounds will heal much more quickly. I must stress that only a Medical Doctor should administer this treatment. It is nothing to experiment with. Tell your mom to ask the Doctor about it and that he’s interested in possibly trying it. It’s better to try it rather than to wait forever for the wounds to heal. Foot and lower leg wounds are the worst for a diabetic because the blood flow is not good in the lower extremities and many people have had quite a bit of success with Maggot therapy. Good luck, =)
First of all, seeing the doctor was the right first step to take in order to get the healing process started. As I am sure your dad knows, healing is often decreased in diabetics, so the process may be slow and painful. Keep the wound clean and medicated (as directed by the doctor) and follow up as planned. If you are still concerned about the healing / condition of the wound / infection, ask your doctor to recommend you to the nearest wound care center. Most hospitals have these. Someone there will definitely be able to help your dad get back on his feet!
Good luck and best wishes…