Now Accepting Medicare for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

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What Are Diabetic Wounds?

Diabetic wounds are chronic sores or ulcers that typically develop on the feet, ankles, or legs due to complications from diabetes. Poor circulation, nerve damage (neuropathy), and reduced immune response make it harder for these wounds to heal and easier for them to become infected. Even minor cuts or pressure points can evolve into serious, non-healing wounds. Left untreated, they can lead to severe infections, tissue damage, and, in some cases, amputation. Early intervention is critical for effective healing. At 8th Element, our medical team offers effective diabetic ulcer treatments in San Francisco to relieve pain and improve quality of life.

A person rubbing their foot suffering from diabetes, needing diabetic ulcer treatment in San Francisco.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Wounds:

  • Persistent sores or ulcers on the feet, toes, or legs
  • Redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound
  • Drainage or pus from the wound site
  • Foul odor coming from the affected area
  • Blackened or dead tissue (a sign of poor blood flow)
  • Numbness, tingling, or lack of sensation in the feet
  • Pain or discomfort while walking or wearing shoes
  • Wounds that don’t heal after several weeks
  • Skin discoloration around the wound
  • Fever or chills (if infection has spread)
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How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help Diabetic Wounds of the Lower Extremities

Deliver Oxygen Where Your Body Needs It Most

Diabetes can impair circulation, especially in your feet and lower legs, making it harder for your body to deliver the oxygen needed for wound healing.  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) dramatically increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, allowing it to reach damaged tissues and areas with poor circulation. This results in a dramatic improvement in your body’s ability to heal diabetic wounds.

Enhance Your Body’s Natural Immune Response

One of the most serious risks of diabetic foot wounds is infection. When bacteria enter open wounds and oxygen levels are low, your body struggles to mount an effective immune response. HBOT changes the equation. By saturating your tissues with oxygen, it helps white blood cells function more efficiently and supports your natural defenses. This can lower the risk of infections, reduce swelling, and help prevent wounds from becoming chronic or infected.

Support Tissue Regeneration and Collagen Production

Wound healing requires more than just stopping an infection—it also involves rebuilding healthy tissue. HBOT promotes angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels, and encourages collagen growth, a key building block in wound repair. With regular HBOT sessions, your body can regenerate tissue more effectively, helping wounds close faster and heal more completely. This is especially important for diabetic patients, whose healing process may be delayed. Contact our office for customized diabetic ulcer treatment in San Francisco today.

Reduce the Risk of Amputation

One of the most devastating outcomes of untreated or non-healing diabetic wounds is amputation. By improving tissue oxygenation, reducing infection risk, and supporting healthy tissue repair, HBOT has been shown to significantly reduce the need for surgical removal of toes, feet, or legs. For patients with diabetic foot ulcers, HBOT offers a proactive path to recovery and can make the difference between healing and irreversible damage.

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Diabetic Wounds & Ulcers FAQs

What happens if a diabetic leg ulcer remains untreated?

What type of doctor treats diabetic wounds?

What are the stages of a diabetic ulcer?

What can I do to prevent diabetic wounds & leg ulcers?

What happens if a diabetic leg ulcer remains untreated?

If a diabetic leg ulcer is left untreated, the risks can escalate quickly. Poor circulation and reduced sensation mean the wound may not heal on its own and can become infected. Infections can spread to the deeper tissues and bone, leading to chronic pain, severe tissue damage, and even gangrene. Without timely care, untreated ulcers may require partial or full amputation to stop the spread of infection.

What type of doctor treats diabetic wounds?

Diabetic wounds are typically managed by wound care specialists, podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and endocrinologists working together. At advanced wound centers, such as 8th Element Hyperbaric Medicine, hyperbaric physicians play a crucial role in treating stubborn, non-healing wounds with therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This approach ensures you receive both systemic and local care tailored to your condition.

What are the stages of a diabetic ulcer?

Diabetic ulcers usually progress through clear stages:

  • Stage 1: Reddened or irritated skin that may look like a blister or sore.
  • Stage 2: Breakdown of the skin surface, forming a shallow open wound.
  • Stage 3: Ulcer deepens, exposing fat and tissue beneath the skin.
  • Stage 4: Severe ulceration with exposed bone, tendon, or joint, and possible infection.
Identifying the stage early enables timely intervention, thereby reducing the risk of long-term damage and even amputations.

What can I do to prevent diabetic wounds & leg ulcers?

Prevention begins with strict blood sugar control and daily foot checks. Keep your feet clean and dry, wear supportive shoes that reduce pressure points, and never ignore minor cuts or blisters. Regular check-ups with your doctor or podiatrist help catch problems early. Most importantly, take action quickly: early treatment makes all the difference.

Why Choose 8th Element Hyperbaric Medicine for HBOT?

At 8th Element Hyperbaric Medicine, we offer a safe, convenient multi-place HBOT treatment facility.  Recognizing that not all HBOT chambers are designed with everybody in mind, unlike mono-place chambers, our multi-place facility ensures that patients of all sizes — including those living with severe obesity — can receive the care they need in comfort and dignity.  We provide compassionate space for patients managing diabetic wounds.

Our multi-place chamber also allows multiple patients to receive treatment simultaneously, with no waiting list and regular hours 7 days a week. You’ll find ample free parking at our clinic, which is conveniently located in a free-standing medical arts building. We’re now accepting Medicare and welcome you to experience the next step in advanced wound care. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you heal naturally.

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