How does diabetes affect wound healing?

• Due to less production of insulin or resistance to its action (insulin-resistance), high blood sugar levels impair the functioning of white blood cells. White blood cells play an active role in our immune system (the body’s defence system). Due to disruption in the functioning of white blood cells, the body is less able to fight bacteria and other pathogenic microbes and recovery from wound infection becomes more difficult.
• The formation of new blood vessels or repair of existing vessels also gets disturbed in diabetes, leading to poor blood circulation. This adversely affects the delivery of nutrients necessary for wound healing. So, the injuries take longer to heal or sometimes injuries may not heal at all. Poor circulation is often associated with nerve degeneration, creating numbness in the limbs and increase in chances of infection.
• Injuries of the feet are particularly ominous and even a small wound on the feet including the soles or the toes of the feet may quickly develop into a diabetic foot ulcer. A foot ulcer worsens if left untreated. Around one-fifth of diabetic patients tend to develop an ulcer that eventually needs lower limb amputation. For this reason, people with diabetes should be extra-careful with any cuts, scratches or burns in their skin, particularly of the feet. Regular self-inspection of the feet and closely monitoring any wounds can reduce the risk of further infections.

Infections, if ignored, may spread and lead to gangrene or sepsis. For effective wound healing, it is also very important to achieve good control over blood sugar levels through proper diet for diabetes patients, recommended physical activity in diabetes, and medication including insulin.

(Read More - What is prediabetes)