What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Anyone with diabetes is at a high risk of developing foot ulcers. These ulcers are commonly found below the big toe, or balls of your feet. They are caused due to skin breakdown exposing the layers underneath and sometimes can affect the feet down to the bones. If not cared for foot ulcers can even result in amputations. People with diabetes must take good care of their feet. Do not ignore early signs of infection and skin breakdown and discuss every issue with your doctor to avoid serious issues.

Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Any swelling, irritation, redness, numbness, or odor from your feet can be early signs of a foot ulcer
Drainage from the feet that might stain socks or leak into the shoe
The black tissue or eschar surrounding the ulcer is a visible symptom of a foot ulcer. The formation of eschar suggests the lack of healthy blood flow in the area around the ulcer
You may also notice partial or complete gangrene. Gangrene is tissue death due to infections
Any skin discoloration, especially if the tissue becomes black, must be reported
Callused or irritated skin
A lump that may or may not be painful
In many cases, foot ulcers do not show any symptoms until the ulcer has become infected

Classifications of Foot Ulcers

Foot ulcers may be classified under the following categories:

0: no ulcer but potential risk
1: ulcer without infection
2: deep ulcer that exposes joints and tendons
3: widespread ulcers with abscesses due to infection

Causes of Foot Ulcers

Poor blood circulation
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Nerve damage
Irritated or wounded feet

Poor blood circulation makes it difficult for wounds to heal. High blood glucose level also slows down the wound-healing process. So, for effective treatment of foot ulcers, it is critical to control the blood sugar levels. Diabetes may also cause nerve damage, resulting in loss of feeling in your legs. Nerve damage reduces the sensation of pain in the feet that may result in painless wounds that can get infected without you being aware of it. Diabetics are more prone to dry skin. This makes them more likely to have calluses, corns, and bleeding wounds.

Foot ulcers may also occur due to

Low quality shoes that are poorly fitted Poor foot hygiene
Improperly trimmed toenails
Alcoholism
Eye disease due to diabetes
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Obesity
Tobacco use that inhibits circulation

How to prevent foot ulcers?

Here are some tips to preventing foot ulcers:

Control the sugar in your blood. Keeping the blood sugar levels under control is the best way to avoid diabetic foot ulcers. Uncontrolled glucose is often behind neuropathy, which causes loss of sensation in the feet, making it possible for a sore to go unnoticed. Maintaining normal glucose levels would also allow any foot sores to heal more quickly. This will help avoid developing ulcers.
Pay attention to your feet. If you have diabetes, it's necessary to perform regular foot inspections. Catching a sore early will go a long way in preventing major issues. Try this: Place a mirror on the floor and hold over it with each foot. Or ask a family member to inspect all areas of your feet periodically.

Other preventive measures include

Do not walk bare feet.
Stay off your feet in order to prevent pain and ulcerations. This is called off loading, which is helpful for some types of ulcers.
Consider wearing diabetic shoes, casts, or foot braces.
Keep your feet clean and dry

What is Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment?

There are several methods of treating diabetic foot ulcers:

1. Diabetic Foot care – Diabetes can cause multiple complications in the feet. Diabetic foot ulcers can be treated, managed, and prevented using diabetic foot care products. Foot care products such as foot ulcer treatment cream, foot brushes, edema boots, and insoles help protect the skin and manage vulnerable diabetic skin. Cleaning the foot and maintaining its hygiene is an important part of preventing ulcers. One can also use foot brushes to clean feet that have already been affected by ulcers or use diabetic ulcer cream to prevent the skin from breaking down.

2. Diabetes Socks – Diabetes socks are used to provide gentle compression to the feet and improve blood circulation in the feet. Made of high-quality and fine materials, they are designed to take care of sensitive feet. Moisture can cause complications with ulcers, and diabetes socks help control this moisture. Diabetes socks also provide cushioning support for the feet and relieve pain from ulcers.

3. Wound Dressings – In cases where the ulcers are 1, 2, or 3 stage ulcers, one has to use wound dressing to prevent any infections. Cleaning the ulcer with a wound cleanser is the first step. One should use compatible wound dressings to cover the ulcer and allow it to heal. Ignoring an ulcer can cause it to become an abscess and cause further complications.

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