DIABETES AND FOOT ULCERS
Do you have diabetes? Then you need to be extra careful about foot ulcers developing. These diabetic foot ulcers may start in a mundane way with a small callus or a blister on your foot. When you lose feeling in your feet, a small sore may turn into a more serious wound. Around 10% of people with diabetes will end up with a foot ulcer. The ulcer will cause the skin to wear away and may lead to amputation. Here are some tips to prevent foot ulcers.
Keep your blood sugar levels under control. Uncontrolled glucose may cause loss of feeling in your feet and you may not notice that a sore developed. If you have normal glucose levels, this will help any foot sores to heal faster and prevents foot ulcers from developing. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes. If you catch a sore early, then this will prevent major problems.
To care for your wound, your doctor will remove unhealthy tissue from the wound in order to promote your body’s natural healing mechanism. Then your doctor will apply a dressing, which needs to be changed regularly. Keep weight off the wound because continued pressure on the sore will only worsen it. It is likely that you will wear a cast or a boot that keeps weight off the injured site while the wound heals. If the ulcer doesn’t heal in four weeks, your doctor may recommend more advanced therapies like living cellular skin substitute or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room) which promotes healing.
Foot ulcers are serious because your foot has soft tissue that makes it easy for an infection to get to the muscle and bone very quickly. Infection and poor blood flow can lead to amputation. See a podiatrist ASAP, if you suspect you have a foot ulcer. If you do have a foot ulcer, keep your blood sugar under control and follow up regularly with your doctor.
Should you have any questions, please contact our team here to set up an appointment online, by email at info@riverpodiatry.com or by phone at (845) 735-8440.
River Podiatry, with locations in Pearl River NY, and Midland Park NJ, provides comprehensive, treatment of patients with podiatric issues. The practice specializes in foot surgery and the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Expect the best possible care utilizing the most modern techniques. Make an appointment today with Rockland County and Bergen County podiatrist Dr. Han!
