High blood sugar levels can greatly damage sensation and circulation in extremities like in the legs and feet. If left to exacerbate, these complaints can cause ulcers, infections and can—at worst—also lead to amputation. It’s therefore essential for diabetics to keep their feet in top shape, as most injuries are preventable with regular, high-quality foot care.
Treating foot ulcers
In order to allow the wounds to heal, avoid unnecessary standing or walking (especially barefoot). You may be asked to use a wheelchair, crutches or a specialised cast. During this time, your diabetes treatment may also be altered to increase the chances of healing cleanly in order to restore adequate blood flow—a key factor in successfully closing wounds. Other aspects of correctly managing diabetic ulcers and injuries include taking pressure off the swollen areas and removing dead skin tissue. If an infection is present, your doctor—or podiatrist—will also prescribe some antibiotics to fight the infection and will dress your foot with an antiseptic bandage. It is always vital to keep your blood glucose levels and other health problems under control, but this is especially important during foot attacks. Healing time does vary—wound location, size, pressure on the injury, swelling, circulation, wound care and blood glucose levels can all affect the prognosis—and it may take weeks or even several months.
Looking out for the danger signs
- Is your foot red, warm or swollen?
- Is there a break in the skin or any drainage on your socks?
- Do you feel unwell?
- Can you detect a strange smell? If the condition has progressed significantly, odor might be present.
You are at high risk if…
- Have nerve damage
- Suffer from poor circulation
- Have a foot deformity (like a bunion or hammer toe)
- Wear inappropriate shoes
- Have uncontrolled or relatively high blood sugar
- Have previous history of a foot ulcer
Loss of sensation is a common side effect of diabetes, which means you may not experience any pain even with a visible wound. If you’re prone to ulcers, make sure someone else looks at your feet every day to avoid trips to the hospital and urgent care.\
