Diabetic Foot Ulcers Care in Seaford & Millsboro, DE
Advanced Wound Care in Millsboro & Seaford, DE
Foot wounds can sneak up on you, and for people with diabetes, they can turn serious fast. At Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle, we specialize in wound care, with a focus on treating foot ulcers, managing open wounds, and helping patients stay ahead of complications.
We offer diabetic wound care and advanced wound care in both Millsboro and Seaford, DE, combining medical expertise with compassionate care that keeps you on your feet—and out of the hospital.
What Is a Foot Ulcer?
A foot ulcer is an open sore that typically forms on the bottom of the foot. These wounds can be painful, slow to heal, and prone to infection. For people living with diabetes, foot ulcers are a common complication caused by nerve damage and poor circulation.
They may not hurt at first, but if they go unnoticed, they can grow deeper and become infected. This is why knowing how to care for an open wound is so important.
Causes of Diabetic Blisters on Feet
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound or sore on the foot or toe that doesn’t heal on its own. They are caused by diabetic neuropathy, which is a condition that affects the nerves in the legs and feet. Because neuropathy causes you to lose feeling in your legs and feet, you may not be aware of scrapes, cuts, punctures, and other wounds that you have developed. Over time, these injuries can turn into venous stasis ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers. Without treatment, this ulcer can become infected. Severe foot and/or toe infections may require surgery or amputation. Our team of doctors and specialists can help you treat or prevent diabetic wounds like foot and toe ulcers. You are at a higher risk of diabetic wounds or diabetic blisters on feet and toes if you have:
- Alcohol abuse disorder
- Blood circulation issues
- Bunions
- Hammer toes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- Tobacco use or overuse
How to Know if You Have a Foot Ulcer
Here are a few red flags to watch for:
- A sore or open wound that isn’t healing
- Redness, swelling, or warmth around the area
- Drainage in your socks or shoes
- A foul smell coming from the wound
- Black or blue tissue around the edge of the wound
- Pain or numbness if you have diabetes
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Stages
Ulcers are open wounds that occur at different depths and stages. They may look like a crater or a wedge and can be yellow, pink, red, gray, or black. Black diabetic wounds are necrotic, which means that the cells and tissues have died. Most diabetic foot ulcers start as small as one centimeter wide. Without treatment, they can grow to the size of the entire foot. The Wagner Diabetic Foot Ulcer Stages are:
- Grade 0 – The skin is intact and undamaged. You do not have any wounds, cuts, scrapes, or signs of a diabetic foot ulcer
- Grade 1 – You have a diabetic foot ulcer or diabetic wound that is superficial. This means that the skin is broken, but the wound only affects the upper layers of the skin
- Grade 2 – The diabetic foot ulcer is a deep wound
- Grade 3 – The diabetic wound is deep enough that part of the foot or toe bone is visible
- Grade 4 – Part of the foot is black or gangrenous, indicating cell and tissue death
- Grade 5 – The entire foot is gangrenous
Diabetic Wound Care: Why It Matters
People with diabetes are more likely to develop diabetic ulcers and often face a longer healing process. Poor blood flow and nerve damage (neuropathy) can mean wounds go unnoticed—and untreated—for too long. That’s why diabetic wound care must be proactive and thorough. The importance of wound care is highlighted below:
- Prevents infection and hospitalization
- Reduces the risk of amputation
- Promotes faster, healthier healing
- Improves quality of life
How to Treat Open Wounds on the Foot
Proper wound care depends on the type and severity of the ulcer. But here’s what a typical treatment plan might include:
- Cleaning and Debridement – Removing dead tissue to allow healthy skin to grow
- Moist Wound Therapy – Using dressings that keep the wound hydrated and clean
- Pressure Offloading – Using special shoes or braces to take pressure off the wound
- Antibiotics and Infection Control – Treating infections before they spread
- Wound Monitoring – Keeping close tabs on progress and healing
Advanced Wound Care Options
Some foot wounds need more than bandages and rest. That’s where advanced wound care makes all the difference. We will evaluate your specific case and find the treatment plan that makes the most sense for your situation. We offer:
- Biologic skin grafts and cellular tissue products
- Negative pressure wound therapy
- Custom orthotics and diabetic shoes
- Minimally invasive surgery, if needed
The 4 Stages of Wound Care and Healing
Healing happens in phases. Our doctors track each stage carefully to make sure your foot is recovering properly. The main stages of wound care are:
- Hemostasis – Your body works to stop the bleeding
- Inflammation – White blood cells fight off bacteria
- Proliferation – New tissue starts to form
- Maturation – Skin and tissue strengthen and close the wound
When a wound gets stuck in one of these phases, healing slows or stops. That’s when professional wound care becomes essential.
Diabetic Wound Care You Can Trust
If you’re managing diabetes, your feet need extra attention. Diabetic wound care is about more than treating the wound—it’s about preventing serious, life-changing complications. We’ll help you:
- Keep blood flow strong and steady
- Catch new wounds early
- Reduce pressure on high-risk areas
- Stay ahead of infections
- Learn how to care for your feet every day
The importance of wound care can’t be overstated when you’re living with diabetes. An untreated ulcer can lead to hospitalization—or worse. But with expert care, you can heal and stay ahead of future problems.
Preventing Foot Ulcers Starts With Daily Habits
Our goal is to help you avoid wounds in the future. We work with every patient to build a foot care plan for prevention. Here’s how to lower your risk:
- Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, or redness
- Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly
- Moisturize to avoid cracks, but skip the area between the toes
- Never go barefoot—even indoors
- Wear shoes that fit properly and protect your feet
- Keep your blood sugar under control
Get Expert Wound Care in Millsboro & Seaford, DE
If your foot wound just isn’t healing—or if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to manage it on your own—Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle is here to help. We specialize in everything from diabetic ulcer wound care to open wound care for injuries and post-surgical healing.
Stop Googling how to treat open wounds and get real answers from trusted podiatrists. Call us today or request an appointment online.
What Is a Foot Ulcer?
A foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that doesn’t heal properly. These ulcers often occur on the bottom of the foot and are especially common in people with diabetes. If left untreated, a foot ulcer can become infected and lead to serious complications.
What Does an Early-Stage Diabetic Foot Ulcer Look Like?
In the early stage, a diabetic foot ulcer might just look like a small red spot, blister, or sore. It might not even hurt, especially if you’ve lost some feeling in your feet. But that’s part of the danger. Without pain, you may not realize how serious it is until it grows deeper or becomes infected.
If something looks “off” on your foot –discoloration, drainage, swelling—don’t wait. These early signs need attention. Catching a foot ulcer early increases the chances of healing and prevents infection or further damage.
What Are the Risk Factors for Diabetic Ulcers?
Several issues can increase your chances of developing diabetic conditions. Common risk factors for diabetic ulcers include:
- Uncontrolled blood sugar
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Poor circulation
- Foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes
- Wearing tight or improper footwear
- A history of foot ulcers or injuries
- Smoking
How Do You Treat Foot Ulcers?
Don’t try to do it alone. You need professional care from a podiatrist. Treatment usually involves:
- Cleaning and dressing the wound
- Relieving pressure from the ulcer with special footwear or braces
- Removing damaged tissue
- Treating or preventing infection with medication
- Managing blood sugar to help the body heal
- Providing custom shoes or orthotics for long-term protection
Is Surgery Ever Needed for a Foot Ulcer?
Sometimes, yes. In more severe cases, when an ulcer is deep, infected, or has damaged surrounding tissue or bone, surgery may be the safest way to remove the infected area and promote proper healing. We’ll always explore non-surgical options first, but if foot surgery becomes necessary, you’re already in expert hands.
How Long Do Foot Ulcers Take to Heal?
A common concern is how long foot ulcers take to heal. Healing depends on the severity of the ulcer and how early it was treated. Minor ulcers caught early can heal in a few weeks. More advanced or infected ulcers may take months and could require surgical intervention.
Can a Foot Ulcer Heal on Its Own?
It's possible—but not likely. While some small wounds may seem to close on their own, most foot ulcers, especially in people with diabetes, don’t heal properly without help. What looks like healing on the surface might still be breaking down underneath. Without proper care, an ulcer can reopen, get infected, or lead to serious complications like bone infection or even amputation.
What Should I Do If I Keep Getting Ulcers?
Recurring foot ulcers are a sign that something deeper is going on, often related to pressure, footwear, or circulation. If you’re dealing with ulcers again and again, you’re not just unlucky. You need a treatment plan that goes beyond bandaging wounds.
We’ll help you get to the root of the problem. That might include adjusting your shoes, managing your blood sugar more closely, or treating underlying foot structure issues. Preventing the next ulcer is just as important as healing the one you have now.
Why Choose Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle?
We know you have options. So why come to us? Because you deserve care that goes deeper.
At Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle, we don’t just bandage a wound and send you home. We look at the full picture—your lifestyle, your medical history, your goals—and work with you to heal and stay well. We perform all foot and ankle surgeries in-house, from wound repairs to sports injuries and fractures. We’re also proud to be the first practice in Delaware to offer minimally invasive bunion surgery—a gentler approach with faster recovery.
But what really sets us apart is how much we care. We take time to educate you, answer your questions, and give you the tools you need to stay ahead of complications.
Get the Help You Need
If you’ve noticed signs of a foot ulcer or think you may have an early-stage diabetic foot ulcer, don’t wait for it to get worse. Schedule an appointment with Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle in Millsboro or Seaford, DE. We’ll help you heal—and show you how to prevent ulcers in the future.