Does Diabetes Foot Smell Signify an Ulcer?

Smelly feet are embarrassing. Most people will want to treat the issue right away. However, to treat it, you must know the underlying cause.

Many people think diabetes can cause foot odor. In truth, the condition cannot cause feet to smell. However, you may develop a diabetic foot ulcer which can cause an odor.

Read on to learn more about the relationship between foot odor and diabetes.

What is Diabetes Foot Odor?

When people with diabetes experience foot wounds, like cuts, scrapes, and blisters, the outcome can be quite serious. Diabetics often experience conditions like diabetic neuropathy and reduced blood circulation that limits feeling in the foot. Therefore, they may not feel the wounds that occur.

When wounds are not treated properly, they could become infected causing a diabetes foot smell. Although foot smell is typically an unwanted symptom, it can alert diabetics, so they treat wounds before they get out of hand. If left untreated, the wounds can develop into gangrene and lead to amputation.

What Do Diabetic Feet Smell Like?

Unlike most foot odors, diabetic foot ulcers do not have the usual sweaty, cheesy, vinegary smell. A diabetic foot wound smell is more bread-like, grape-like, or acrid. It may be sickly sweet or have an ammonia scent.

Why Do Diabetics Smell Bad?

Diabetics may smell bad due to diabetic foot odor. However, there are other reasons why diabetics may emit strange odors.

• Diabetes-Related Ketoacidosis (DKA): DKA is a deadly side effect of diabetes that occurs when the body does not have enough insulin to allow blood sugar into cells. Therefore, the liver breaks down fat for fuel producing ketone acids. Fruity breath is a symptom of DKA as is fatigue, difficulty breathing, and digestive issues.
• Insulin Pump Odor: This odor may occur when insulin leaks from the tubing or reservoir of an insulin pump. The smell is similar to new plastic or Lysol.
• Oral Health Conditions: People with diabetes are prone to oral health conditions such as oral thrush, and an overgrowth of fungus on the tongue and mucous membranes which contributes to bad breath.

Are Smelly Feet a Sign of Diabetes?

Smelly feet could be a sign of diabetes, especially if a wound has formed.  However, there are other causes of foot odor including:

• Hyperhidrosis: This condition is characterized by excessive sweating which could lead to foot odor.
• Athlete’s Foot: Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection caused by warmth and moisture. Diabetics with Athlete’s Foot should look out for diabetes foot smell. The condition causes skin to dry out and crack. These wounds can develop into a diabetic foot ulcer.

How to Avoid Diabetic Foot Odor

You can avoid diabetic foot odor by keeping an eye out for foot wounds and treating them before they become worse. You can prevent wounds by:

• Keeping feet protected
• Cutting toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Washing and drying feet thoroughly to avoid Athlete’s Foot·  Keeping blood sugar under control to prevent neuropathy and reduced circulation that minimizes feeling in the foot

Diabetics can also monitor foot temperature to identify signs of inflammation before wounds develop. Feetsee provides a convenient solution.

Patients can log into the Feetsee app and install the connected device into their phone to attach it to the provided stand. The app will monitor feet to detect fluctuations in temperature.

Increased temperature can indicate inflammation, the early signs of a wound. Decreased temperature can indicate reduced circulation. Patients can share this information with their doctors for prompt treatment.

Conclusion

So, does diabetes make your feet smell? Yes, indirectly it can. But with Feetsee and other preventative measures, you can avoid wounds that develop into ulcers and enjoy optimal health.

Contact us to learn more about how Feetsee can keep diabetic foot ulcers at bay.