How can one avoid getting a diabetic foot ulcer?

Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Sri Ramakrishna Hospital

Foot ulcers are a genuine consequence of diabetes that isn’t treated with diet, exercise, or insulin therapy. Ulcers are caused by the breakdown of skin tissue, which is uncovered in the layers beneath. They’re most common underneath your enormous toes and on the balls of your feet, and they can influence your whole foot, counting the bones. Foot ulcers can influence anybody with diabetes, but cautious foot care can offer assistance to maintain a strategic distance from them. Diabetic foot infection treatment can be treated differently depending on the causes.

In case you’ve got any concerns about your feet, discuss with your specialist to be sure beyond any doubt it’s not a genuine issue, as tainted ulcers can lead to removal in case cleared out untreated.

The first signs of a diabetic foot ulcer are:

  • Drainage from your foot, which may stain your socks or seep out in your shoe, is one of the early indicators of a foot ulcer. Early symptoms include unusual swelling, irritation, redness, and smells in one or both feet. Reach out for a vascular surgeon in Coimbatore, as you notice the symptoms of the infection.
  • The black tissue (called eschar) that surrounds a significant foot ulcer is the most noticeable indication. This happens when there isn’t enough healthy blood flow to the area around the ulcer.
  • Around the ulcer, partial or total gangrene, which refers to tissue death caused by infections, might develop. There may be odorous discharge, discomfort, and numbness in this condition.
  • Foot ulcers do not always show symptoms. Ulcers can sometimes go unnoticed until they become infected.

The most common ways to prevent the diabetic foot ulcer are:

Proper footwear:

Blisters are more likely to occur when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly. Shoes shouldn’t be too little, too big, or too tight. Because the size and width of your feet might alter over time, doctors advise having your feet measured anytime you buy new shoes.

A properly-fitting shoe has a half-inch gap between the toes and the tip of the shoe, as well as adequate arch support. Podiatrists advise wearing clean, dry socks with no tight elastic bands that could limit blood flow to the feet. You can also reach out for diabetic foot ulcer surgery in case needed.

Blood sugar: 

If you have diabetes, you must keep track of your blood sugar levels and make sure they stay below safe limits. High blood sugar levels might cause foot problems and slow recovery.

Weight loss: 

Being overweight or obese puts more strain on the feet, which can cause friction and lead to blisters and cuts when wearing shoes. You and your doctor can consider the potential of weight loss surgery if obesity prevents you from controlling your blood sugar levels.

Quitting tobacco: 

Cigarettes and other tobacco products include compounds that delay healing, making a complete recovery from a foot ulcer more difficult. Tobacco products have also been related to circulatory issues, such as lower limb artery disease, which lowers blood flow in the legs and feet.

Inspect your feet daily: 

Every day, feel and inspect the skin on your feet and lower legs for any scratches, bruises, or swelling.

Remove or rearrange any items in your home that could cause you to trip or fall. Similarly, if you frequently bump into furniture with the same portion of your body, use a wrap or brace to protect that area of skin.

Avoiding walking barefoot: 

This is particularly crucial for patients who suffer from diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes.

Right Nutrients:

Diabetic patients can benefit from a well-balanced diet rich in lean protein, fiber, and legumes and low in saturated fats. Many minerals and vitamins, such as zinc, iron, copper, and protein, are required for tissue growth.

Utilize a good quality moisturizer to the skin of the feet after thoroughly washing to keep skin hydrated, do not walk barefoot or wear shoes without socks, do not try to remove corns or calluses on your own, do not warm your feet with hot water bottle, space heater or foot spa, and take your medications as prescribed by your physician at a vascular surgery hospital.


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