Diabetes And Foot Ulcers 

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes recently? You might need to ensure you undergo the best foot and ankle care. In fact, it might be a good idea to invest in podiatry services to ensure regular care. This is because at least 15% of diabetic patients tend to develop foot ulcers. 

You might wonder what foot ulcers are and why diabetic patients are prone to them. You might also want to know the causes of foot ulcers and how you can care for them. This article will tell you everything you need to know about diabetes and foot ulcers. So, read on and gain the education to prevent complications. 

What Is A Foot Ulcer? 

A foot ulcer is a wound or opens sore. It generally occurs on the feet’s bottom. Commonly, diabetic patients are prone to foot ulcers due to a lack of effective diet, insulin, and exercise management. 

The foot ulcers are formed when the skin tissues break down and expose the underneath layers. They are common underneath your big toes and balls of your feet and can affect your bones. 

How Is it Caused? 

Now that you know what a diabetic foot ulcer is, you might want to understand its causes. There are several causes of diabetic foot ulcers. It is important to identify the cause to ensure you get the best foot and ankle care. 

Following are the cause of diabetic foot ulcers:

Blood Circulation Issues 

Many times, when you have diabetes, it is likely you will face poor blood circulation. Sometimes, when the blood doesn’t flow to your feet efficiently, you face a form of vascular disease that causes foot ulcers. Poor blood circulation also makes it difficult for ulcers to heal quickly. 

Blood Sugar Going High 

Diabetes is essentially the fluctuation of blood sugar. When your blood sugar goes high, it affects blood circulation and causes nerve damage. Often this leads to you getting cuts, blisters, and open sores that you are unaware of. Due to this, foot ulcers form dangerously. Moreover, with high blood sugar, fighting foot ulcer-related infections becomes challenging. 

Damage To The Nerves 

High blood sugar tends to damage the nerves. Nerve damage is a long-term effect and leads to loss of feeling in your feet. So, you become unaware of foot pain and wounds. Plus, when your nerves are damaged, your feet can feel painful and tingly. Additionally, it reduces pain sensitivity and causes ulcers. 

Irritated Or Wounded Feet 

If you already have an existing wound that seems painless, that could cause foot ulcers too. Additionally, a foot ulcer is identifiable due to the drainage from the wounded area. You might also have a painless lump on your feet. 

Apart from the above causes, there are other causes of foot ulcers: 

  • Patients with diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart diseases are prone to foot ulcers 
  • If you have foot deformities or flat feet 
  • Overweight patients are susceptible to foot ulcers 
  • Abuse of alcohol and tobacco also play a role in foot ulcers developing 

How To Treat It? 

Knowing the causes of foot ulcers is not sufficient, is it? You also need to know how to treat it. That’s why excellent podiatry services exist to help you diagnose and treat foot ulcers. Diagnosing and starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to prevent infection. 

When you start seeing the following symptoms, it is time to visit a foot and ankle care center: 

  • Drainage in your socks 
  • Swelling and redness 
  • Loss of sensitivity to foot pain 
  • Possible odor 

When you see the above symptoms, it is critical to see a podiatrist. They will treat in the following manner: 

  • Take the pressure off the area
  • Remove any dead skin or tissue 
  • Apply medication and dressing to the foot ulcer 
  • Take precautions to prevent infections due to the ulcer

More importantly, the podiatrist will recommend the following to prevent infections: 

  • Give you a course of treatment to keep your blood sugar under control 
  • Clean and bandage the ulcer to prevent dirt or anything from entering the wound 
  • Ensure the wound is cleansed daily and the dressing is changed regularly 
  • Advise you to avoid walking barefoot

Sometimes your podiatrist may advise you to wear foot gear to reduce irritation and pressure to the area with an ulcer. 

Wrapping Up 

Foot ulcers can be traumatizing if infected. That’s why it is essential to identify the symptoms and causes and treat them immediately. Plus, it is best to ensure a stringent diet, exercise, and insulin treatment routine to prevent foot ulcers altogether. 

Also, you must ensure excellent foot and ankle care by checking your feet regularly, keeping them dry and moisturized, and availing yourself of podiatry services. 

You can avail of excellent podiatry services at a foot and ankle care center like Benenati Foot And  Ankle Care Centers in st.Clair shores ,Warren and Macomb, MI. They have friendly and professional staff who will remove calluses and corns and treat your foot ulcers. 

So, understand diabetic foot ulcers and take steps to prevent them or get treated immediately.