Top care tips
Practical advice from our specialist nursing team to help you heal well, stay safe, and feel confident managing wound and diabetic care in the comfort of your own home.
Helping your wound heal
Good wound care starts with sound daily habits. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your dressing or wound area. Keep your dressing completely clean, dry, and secure unless your nurse has advised otherwise. Avoid picking, scratching, or applying unprescribed creams.
Nutrition also plays a vital role: eating protein-rich foods like eggs, fish, lean meat, and pulses supports tissue repair, while drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily keeps skin hydrated. If you smoke, reducing or stopping will significantly improve blood flow to the healing area.
Managing leg ulcers and swelling
Circulation is essential for treating chronic lower-limb conditions. Whenever you are resting or sitting down, elevate your legs above hip level to relieve pressure and reduce swelling. Keep active with short, gentle walks throughout the day to stimulate healthy blood circulation.
Avoid standing motionless for long periods or sitting with your legs crossed, as this restricts venous return. If compression hosiery has been prescribed by your nurse, ensure it is applied smoothly without wrinkles each morning.
Diabetic care and warning signs
Stable blood glucose levels are key to effective tissue viability and preventing infections. Inspect your feet every single day for minor cuts, blisters, redness, or peeling skin, especially if you experience reduced sensation or neuropathy.
Never manage escalating symptoms alone. If you notice spreading redness, unusual warmth, foul odour, increased discharge, or sudden numbness, contact Eden Wound Care & Diabetic Support or your GP promptly for a professional clinical review.