What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Why You Should Never Ignore It?

If you have diabetes, you should never let a foot issue go untreated. Even something as minor as a cut or blister can develop into a diabetic foot ulcer. Early-stage treatment will prevent these problems from getting worse. 

What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

People with diabetes are prone to foot injuries. They often have foot deformities, increasing the risk of imbalanced pressure distribution.  As a result, they are prone to blisters, cuts, and other types of wounds. 

For most people, these are minor problems, but for people with diabetes, they can develop into serious issues. Many people with diabetes have nerve damage, meaning they can’t feel minor wounds on their feet, and don’t treat them in the early stages. 

People with diabetes also experience reduced blood flow, which hinders oxygen delivery to the tissues, making wounds take longer to heal. Elevated blood sugar levels also impair the body’s ability to heal wounds. As a result, minor cuts on feet diabetes can quickly develop into foot ulcers. 

Once foot ulcers develop, they are challenging to treat. They can become infected and evolve into diabetic leg wounds, which, in extreme cases, may require amputation. 

How to Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers in the Early Stages?

Once you realize the consequences of foot ulcers, you understand why they cannot be ignored. They must be treated early before developing into diabetes ulcer ankle and diabetes ulcer leg ulcers. Here are some ways you can reduce your risk:

1. Check Feet Regularly: As a person with diabetes, you may not feel cuts and blisters that may develop into ulcers. Therefore, you must check your feet daily in good lighting, looking for redness, swelling, blisters, cuts, sores, discoloration, and calluses. Numbness, tingling, drainage, and foul odors may occur in more advanced stages. If you can’t see your feet, ask for help. 
2. Use a Device: A device like the Feetsee foot monitor detects issues early. It monitors foot temperature to identify inflammation signs, ensuring treatment in the early stages. 
3. Start Treatment: Several treatment options can prevent ulcer diabetes from getting worse. The following sections will review them. 

How to Prevent Diabetic Wounds on Feet From Getting Worse?

If you notice diabetes cuts on your feet, you can keep them from getting worse with the following treatments:

Off-Loading

Off-loading involves removing pressure from the affected area to allow it to heal. Therapeutic footwear, casts, walkers and crutches, wheelchairs, and bed rest can help. 

Debridement

Debridement involves removing dead and infected tissue to reduce bacteria at the site and create a cleaner environment conducive to healing. It can be accomplished through the following processes:

• Surgical Debridement: A sharp tool is used to remove the tissue. 
• Chemical Debridement: Antiseptics, enzymes, and other chemicals dissolve the tissue. 
• Autolytic Debridement: Dressings support the body’s natural ability to remove dead tissue. 
• Mechanical Debridement: Wet-to-dry dressing is used to remove the tissue. 
• Biosurgery: Sterile maggots digest the tissue. 

Applying  Medications and Dressings

Wounds may also be healed with medications and dressings. Antiseptic treatments are applied to prevent infection. While some think it is best to leave a wound undressed and air it out, more recent research reveals that covering a wound is the best strategy for preventing infection. 

How to Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

It’s essential to deal with diabetes cuts on feet early before you begin to experience severe diabetic foot ulcer symptoms. However, it’s even better to prevent diabetic foot ulcer altogether. Here are some preventative measures to consider. 

Wash Your Feet Daily

Washing your feet removes dirt and debris that can cause wounds. It also reduces the bacterial load on your feet, which makes them more susceptible to infection. Washing also improves circulation, which delivers nutrients and oxygen to the feet and promotes healing. 

Moisturize Your Feet

Apply a moisturizer after washing your feet. It will prevent the skin on your feet from cracking and causing injuries. 

Cut Your Toenails Carefully

Trim your toenails carefully, ensuring they don’t risk cutting into your other toes and causing wounds. A proper pedicure can also prevent ingrown toenails, another precursor to diabetic foot ulcers. 

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Shoes that are too tight or too loose can rub against your feet, causing blisters and cuts that may develop into diabetic foot ulcers. Choose shoes with a round or square toe that won’t crowd your feet. Avoid heels, which may set your feet at an uncomfortable angle. 

Avoid Walking Barefoot

Walking barefoot increases the risk of stepping on or encountering something that can cut your foot. Therefore, wear socks and shoes at all times, even when indoors. 

Consider Special Insoles or Therapeutic Footwear

Special soles or therapeutic footwear distribute pressure evenly, reducing the risk of blisters and cuts. They are especially recommended for people with diabetic neuropathy and foot deformities. 

Manage Diabetes Symptoms

The proper diabetes care will also help you prevent foot ulcers. It will improve circulation so you feel wounds when they happen and promote healing, reducing the risk of infection. It can also support weight loss, making it easier to find comfortable shoes. 

Here are some suggestions for keeping diabetes under control:

• Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels: Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels to prevent dangerous fluctuations. This approach also helps them understand what causes spikes so they can determine an effective treatment plan.
• Stop Smoking: Smoking raises blood sugar levels and triggers inflammation. It can also slow down circulation, making ulcers harder to heal. 
• Exercise Regularly: Exercise boosts circulation and reduces weight, which can be beneficial in lowering ulcer risk. 
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: The proper diet can help manage weight, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote overall wellness. People with diabetes should focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats while limiting their consumption of sugary, fatty foods. 
• Stress Management: Stress can cause cortisol and adrenaline to increase, leading to a rise in blood glucose. Stress management techniques like deep breathing and meditation can control stress and blood sugar levels. 

FAQs

Should I remove corns and calluses myself?

No, you should never remove corns or calluses, as doing so can increase the risk of infection. Instead, get professional help. 

What is a stage 4 diabetic foot ulcer?

Diabetic foot ulcer comes in four stages as follows:

• Stage 1: No infection
• Stage 2: Superficial ulcer with minor infection
• Stage 3: Deep ulcer with gangrene, moderate infection, and involvement of muscle, tendon, or bone
• Stage 4: Deep ulcer with severe infection involving system toxicity or metabolic instability

Should people with diabetes wear socks to bed?

Yes, wearing socks to bed can prevent diabetes foot ulcers by protecting the skin from injury. Socks made of moisture-wicking materials can also prevent fungal infections. They keep feet warm, as cold feet are a common diabetes-related problem due to poor circulation. 

Feetsee Ensures You Don’t Ignore Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Feetsee detects diabetic foot ulcers early, preventing them from becoming more serious. The app downloads to your device. Its cutting-edge technology detects temperature increases that indicate inflammation or possible wounds. An alert is immediately sent to your doctor for prompt treatment if anomalies are identified. 

Don’t let minor cuts and blisters develop into more significant issues. Contact us to learn more about our innovative product that makes it impossible to ignore diabetic foot ulcers.