Warning issued regarding the risks of using home remedies on wounds of patients with diabetes
Managing injuries in patients with diabetes requires medical precision that traditional methods cannot offer. Diabetic foot specialist and wound care expert, Max Guerra, warned that the use of home remedies is a dangerous practice that often complicates the health status of those suffering from this condition, significantly delaying their recovery.
According to the specialist, the frequency with which patients arrive at the clinic after having tried to heal their wounds with substances or techniques not supported by science is alarming. Among the most common practices detected in the clinical setting are:
- Application of urine and sugar.
- Use of aloe vera, oregano, and garlic directly on the lesion.
- Application of burnt oil.
- Soaking feet in hot water as a palliative method.
The false belief of the natural
Guerra emphasized demystifying the idea that products of natural origin are harmless. The expert stresses that toxicity does not depend on the origin of the product, but on its interaction with tissue that already has difficulty healing.
Just because a product is natural does not mean it is not toxic. Some substances can irritate or worsen an injury that is already delicate due to the patient’s circulatory alterations, neuropathy, and glucose levels.
Max Guerra, surgeon specializing in diabetic foot
Unlike a person without diabetes, where a superficial wound might heal on its own in two weeks, the diabetic patient faces an altered healing process. Therefore, the specialist emphasizes that one should not wait for the injury to evolve negatively to seek professional help.
Warning signs and prevention
The wound management expert pointed out critical indicators that require an immediate doctor’s visit:
- Presence of foul odor in the affected area.
- Abnormal secretions.
- Any change in skin coloration.
- Visible deterioration of the lesion after attempting any home treatment.
To reduce the risks of serious complications, such as severe infections or amputations, Dr. Guerra recommends maintaining rigorous blood glucose control, prioritizing proper hygiene of the area, performing constant medical evaluations, and using footwear that does not cause friction or excessive pressure on the feet.
Max Guerra currently leads the Comprehensive Wound and Diabetic Foot Management Center, where he focuses on providing specialized treatments to prevent small injuries from becoming more serious health complications.
