3 Faqs Regarding Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Posted on: 29 April 2019
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 100 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with either diabetes or prediabetes. This number is quite alarming, especially concerning the number of other concerns that often go along with diabetes. Some health issues that are common with diabetes include an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. One more health concern includes diabetic foot ulcers, which is a type of wound that can be difficult to treat.
If you want to know more about this particular health issue, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions regarding diabetic foot ulcers.
1. What Causes Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Diabetes can be hard on the feet, and when the nerves and blood vessels in the feet are affected by the disease, it can cause a type of chronic wound called a diabetic foot ulcer. This type of ulcer develops on the surface skin of the foot, and if it does not receive proper wound care treatment, it could easily become infected.
2. What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Sometimes diabetic foot ulcers are not caught right away because they do not cause any pain. This is why it's important for anyone with diabetes to be aware of the symptoms of any kind of ulcer on the foot. Some of these symptoms include:
- Swelling and discoloration on the foot
- Callused skin around a sore spot on the foot
- An open sore that is seeping with a foul-smelling discharge
Other symptoms may include tingling or numbness in the feet or the foot feels warmer than usual. Also, chills and fever can accompany a diabetic foot ulcer in its advanced stages.
3. What are the Treatment Options for Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
The sooner a diabetic foot ulcer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. As with other types of wound care treatment, when a foot ulcer becomes infected, it can become very difficult to treat. In some instances, an infected foot ulcer that will not heal results in an amputation of the lower-extremity.
In order to prevent infection from occurring, here are some effective wound care treatment options available for these types of ulcers:
- Take the pressure off of the foot
- Remove dead skin and tissue from the foot
- Cleanse the wound daily and keep it bandaged
If the ulcer does become infected, it's important to start antibiotics right away.
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