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A person with diabetes has a wound in his toe that turned black. What should be done now?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At September 13, 2021
Reviewed AtJuly 14, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

A person came asking for our assistance. He lives in the jungle. He reported an injury in his right foot with pain and a burning sensation in his toes and foot. The wound smells bad, and the toes turned black. He did not have a fever. We took him to the hospital, and they advised for amputation as he had diabetes. Since he refused, they prescribed him Clindamycin for seven days, Ascorbic acid for one month, Metformin for one month, and Sodium chloride solution for irrigation.

He was already taking tablet Cephalon 500 mg for seven days, tablet Clotrimazole twice daily for seven days and a charcoal paste.

What should be done as a next step?

Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your query and acknowledge the picture attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).

The images you uploaded are highly suggestive of invasive bacterial infection (gangrene) and may need amputation as advised by your physician, or else it may be life-threatening to the patient. The decomposition may spread to the adjacent areas and can also lead to a septic shock. The tissue from the wound area must be sent to the clinical microbiology laboratory to determine the etiological cause, so that appropriate antibiotic is selected for treatment.

Strict control and monitoring of blood glucose are necessary. Povidone Iodine and topical antimicrobial ointment are to be used depending upon the patient's condition. Systemic antibiotics and antifungals should be chosen based on the clinical, microbiological report and other blood investigations pertaining to clinical hematology and clinical biochemistry.

It needs invasive treatment by a general surgeon. It cannot be managed without surgical intervention.

I hope my advice helps you.

Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. N. Ashok Viswanath
Dr. N. Ashok Viswanath

Infectious Diseases

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