Diabetic ulcers
What is a Diabetic Ulcer?
Diabetic ulcers are open wounds or sores usually found on the bottom of feet. These ulcers affect many people with diabetes and experts suggest that about 15 percent of diabetics will develop one or more at some point in their lifetime. Many of those with diabetic ulcers are hospitalized due to infections or other complications. In extreme cases, the infections require amputations. However, the development of diabetic foot ulcers is preventable so it is vital see a diabetes specialist immediately if any symptoms are present.
First signs of diabetic foot ulcers
- Numbness or loss of feeling in one or both feet
- Foot swelling, discoloration or warmth around the wound
- Toe or foot redness
- Drainage of fluid in socks or shoes
- Pain or firmness around the wound area
- Fever and chills in advanced stages of foot ulcers
Improving Wound Outcomes Starts with You
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do get an ulcer or notice a change in your skin that you’re not sure about, tell your doctor right away. You’ll likely get a procedure called debridement, which removes unhealthy tissue from the wound to spur healing.
Your doctor will also work with you to try to keep your sore or ulcer from getting infected and becoming bigger. Some of the steps they may recommend include:
- Clean your ulcer daily.
- Keep your ulcer bandaged or covered with a wound dressing.
- Keep pressure off your ulcer, especially if it’s on your foot.
- Use the topical medications your doctor recommends.
- Keep your blood sugar under control.
If your wound doesn’t heal in about a month or becomes an infection that spreads to the bone, you may need other treatments. These can include surgery (most often to remove pressure-causing problems, such as bunions) and hyperbolic oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a special room in order to help your body heal.
There’s a lot you can do to lower your chance of having ulcers in the first place:
- Keep your blood sugar in check.
- Check your skin every day, and pay special attention to your feet.
- Don’t smoke.
- Don’t walk barefoot.
