Several people are involved, and each has a different job.
A provider oversees the treatment. Follow your health care provider’s instructions on how to treat the ulcer, and follow instructions on how to care for your feet to prevent ulcers in the future.
A podiatrist comes in for two different things. For debridement: you should never try to do this yourself. A provider, such as a podiatrist, will need to do this to make sure the debridement is done correctly and does not make the injury worse. And for nails and calluses: most people with diabetes should have corns or calluses treated by a foot doctor, and a podiatrist should trim toenails where vision is poor or feeling in the feet is reduced.
A wound care team, if the ulcer is not healing. Foot ulcers due to diabetes are one of the common types of non-healing wound treated at a wound care center. The team includes providers who oversee your care, nurses who clean and dress the wound and teach you how to care for it at home, and physical therapists who help with wound care and work with you to stay mobile. Your providers will keep your primary care provider updated on your progress.
You, for the parts that happen daily. Checking your feet, cleansing the wound daily, keeping the dressing and surrounding skin dry, staying off the ulcer, and keeping blood sugar under control are all yours.
And a visiting nurse or a family member, where dressing changes need help, especially with wet-to-dry dressings.
You are not meant to manage this alone. Here’s what happens when nobody does: untreated foot ulcers are the most common reason for toe, foot, and leg amputations in people with diabetes.