Many people with a diabetic foot ulcer can shower, but the dressing and the skin around the ulcer usually need to stay dry, and soaking the foot is not advised. Ask your podiatrist or wound care team exactly how to bathe with your wound and dressing.
Why does water matter so much with a foot ulcer?
Too much moisture on the wrong skin can cause problems. Most care plans ask you to keep the dressing and the skin around a diabetic foot ulcer dry, and your podiatrist or wound care team will tell you how to do that with your dressing.
Soaking is a separate concern. NIDDK and the CDC both advise people with diabetes not to soak their feet, even without a wound, because it can dry out the skin. With an open ulcer, a bath, hot tub or pool also means the wound sits in water for a long time. Most care plans avoid that.
Should you shower or take a bath?
Generally, a shower. A short shower keeps the foot out of standing water. Baths, hot tubs and swimming pools are usually off the table until your provider says the wound is closed and the skin is ready. If you are not sure, ask before you get in. For general guidance on daily care, see diabetic foot ulcer care: what to know.
How can you keep the dressing dry in the shower?
Ask your provider which of these suits your wound and dressing:
- A waterproof cast or dressing cover. These slip over the foot and seal above the ankle. Pharmacies and medical supply stores carry them.
- A waterproof dressing, if your provider uses one.
- A shower chair so you can sit and keep the foot out of the stream.
- A handheld shower head to control where the water goes.
- Sponge bathing on days when showering is not practical.
If you wear an offloading boot or cast, ask your provider whether it can get wet before you shower.
What if the dressing gets wet anyway?
Change it, using the steps your provider showed you. A wet dressing can hold moisture against the wound and the skin around it, which most care plans try to avoid. Pat the skin around the wound dry with a clean towel before putting on the new dressing. If wet dressings keep happening, ask whether a different type would suit you better; see how to choose a dressing for a diabetic wound.
Should you wash the ulcer itself in the shower?
Only if your provider tells you to. Some care plans include rinsing the wound during a dressing change, and others do not. Your provider will tell you how to care for your wound. Do not scrub the ulcer, do not use hot water, and do not try to remove dead tissue yourself. Cleveland Clinic lists removing dead or infected tissue (debridement) among the steps your provider or podiatrist handles.
How do you keep the rest of the foot clean?
Daily foot care still matters while you have an ulcer:
- Use warm, not hot, water. NIDDK says 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C) is safe, or you can test the water with your elbow. Nerve damage can make it hard to feel heat.
- Use a gentle cleanser on the skin you are allowed to wash.
- Pat dry carefully, including between the toes.
- Moisturize dry skin on the other foot and on intact areas away from the wound, if your provider agrees. Keep lotion out from between the toes.
- Check both feet for new cuts, blisters or red spots. Use a mirror or ask someone to help.
For a full routine, see diabetic foot hygiene.
What safety steps help in the bathroom?
Slips are a real risk when one foot is covered or in a boot. Simple steps help: a non-slip mat, a grab bar, a shower chair, and having someone nearby the first few times. Keep supplies within reach so you do not have to stand on a wet floor while changing a dressing.
When should you call your provider?
Cleveland Clinic advises seeing your provider if you notice swelling, warmth, discharge of fluid or pus, a foul smell, or changes in skin color around the ulcer. Also call about new or increasing pain. Fever or chills need care right away.
How Lavior's Diabetic Wound Hydrogel fits in
Lavior™ Diabetic Wound Hydrogel is a 1 fl oz (30 mL) Class I medical device that helps maintain a moist wound environment, made with plants we grow ourselves. If your provider includes it in your plan, apply it during your dressing change after bathing, once the surrounding skin is dry, and cover it as directed. Use it only on wounds your provider has assessed. Learn more about the Diabetic Wound Hydrogel.
