If you have type 1 and type 2 diabetes, you already know the importance of good diabetes management for preventing potential serious problems, such as nerve damage, poor blood circulation, and diabetic foot ulcers.
To help you keep your feet feeling good, this blog post shares tips on preventing non-healing sores and infections and covers why it’s essential to see an experienced podiatrist for your wound care.
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore on a person’s foot with diabetes. They typically appear under a big toe or the bottom of the foot. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most severe complications for people with diabetes, occurring in approximately 15% of patients.
Long-term high blood sugar can cause neuropathy, a type of diabetes-related nerve damage. Neuropathy can occur anywhere in the body, but it occurs most often in the legs and feet. The condition makes it difficult for people with diabetes to feel sensations (like pain). They can even lose feeling in their feet, making it challenging to notice wounds like blisters, sores, or cuts.
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at risk for foot problems, but they’re more prevalent in people who also have:
The first sign people with diabetes-related foot ulcers often notice is drainage in their socks. (Pain is not a common symptom and often goes unnoticed since most patients have a loss of feeling in their feet.)
Symptoms of diabetic ulcers on your feet can include:
If you have diabetes, the best way to protect yourself against foot ulcers and dangerous infections is to be proactive with preventative foot care.
Here are some tips for caring for your feet:
Poor circulation from diabetes can make it difficult for foot ulcers to heal. A foot ulcer or wound can become infected if not treated right away.
A podiatrist should treat diabetic foot ulcers and other foot problems. They can examine your foot and administer medical treatments, if necessary, such as:
Most diabetes-related foot problems can be treated without surgery, especially if they’re not infected. But if non-surgical methods don’t work, hospitalization or surgery may be recommended. In some serious cases, a surgeon may need to amputate a toe, foot, or even part of the leg to prevent the spread of infection.
In addition to following the advice of your podiatrist, you can optimize your body’s ability to heal wounds like diabetic foot ulcers by making some lifestyle adjustments, such as:
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Whether you have diabetic foot problems currently or want to reduce your risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers, the most important step you can take is to find an experienced podiatrist.
Our full-service podiatrist, Dr. Scott Marsh, DPM, FACFAS, can help manage your condition through medical treatments, physical therapy, custom orthotic inserts, and—if necessary—surgical intervention.