Diabetic Foot Ulcers
What is it?
Diabetic foot ulcers are sores on the feet that often occur in people with diabetes.
Who gets it?
People with diabetes mellitus, a disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high, are at risk for foot ulcers.
What causes it?
The elevated blood sugar levels that occur with diabetes mellitus damage blood vessels, causing them to thicken and leak. Over time, this thickening means they are less able to supply the body, especially the skin, with the blood it needs to remain healthy. Plaque is also more likely to build up in blood vessels (called atherosclerosis),which causes poor circulation. Poor blood supply to the skin often leads to ulcers, especially on the feet. Because of the poor circulation, these ulcers are slow to heal and often become deep and infected.
What are the symptoms?
A foot ulcer looks like a painful, red sore on the foot. When infected, it will ooze pus and have a foul-smelling discharge.
How is it diagnosed?
Diabetic foot ulcers can be seen during a visual examination of the feet. If you have diabetes mellitus, your doctor will examine your feet for signs of infection during your regular checkups. A doctor should check any foot ulcer that has not begun to heal within seven days.
What is the treatment?
The goal of treatment is to prevent complications of poor circulation of blood to the feet in the first place by controlling blood sugar levels. If an ulcer develops, the ulcer must be kept very clean. You can do this by washing the feet daily with mild soap or a saline solution and keeping the ulcer covered with clean, dry dressings. Your doctor may recommend complete bed rest with the head kept higher than the feet. Often, doctors prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Oral antibiotics may also be needed if the ulcer becomes infected. Ulcers can become so deep and infected that the foot needs to be surgically amputated.
Self-care tips
You can help prevent foot ulcers by practicing
good foot care. This includes keeping your feet
clean and dry each day; keeping your toenails cut
straight across, preferably by a podiatrist;
checking your feet daily for any cracks or sores;
wearing well-fitting shoes; and following your
doctor’s treatment plan for controlling your blood
sugar levels.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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