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Do Not Take a Diabetic Foot Ulcer Lightly

Diabetic foot ulcers can begin without warning. Whether it’s a shoe bite or a long walk, you may suddenly spot a small callus or blister on your foot that suddenly turns into wound or an ulcer. If you keep walking instead of stopping and seeking care, a large percent of people with diabetes will end up with a foot ulcer.

Prevent foot ulcers

Even before we talk about treatment for a foot ulcer, it is important to know how to prevent one.

The best way to prevent diabetic foot ulcers is to watch your blood sugar levels and keep them under control. Uncontrolled blood glucose is a common cause of neuropathy; causes loss of feeling in the feet and may even prevent you from noticing cuts and scrapes that may easily turn into big wounds. Maintaining normal glucose levels will also help wounds and sores to heal faster and prevent ulcers from developing.

Inspect your feet daily if you have diabetes. Catching a small cut or sore early can help prevent severe problems. If you can’t see the bottom of your feet, ask someone in your family to check all areas of your feet.

Treating foot ulcers

You are on your feet all day. Continued weight bearing on the affected part of the foot will certainly worsen the injury or condition. This is why your foot doctor may recommend a cast or a special shoe or orthotics devices to keep the weight off the injured part of the foot and to allow the wound to heal.

If the ulcer hasn’t healed within 3-4 weeks or the infection reached the bone, your doctor may treatments, such as –

  •          Living cellular skin substitute
  •          Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote healing

Why are foot ulcers so serious?

Foot infections can get to the muscle and bone very quickly. Infection and poor blood flow can worsen the condition in no time. Severe infections might ultimately lead to amputations. This is why people with any foot injury or infections, especially people with diabetes, should consult a foot and ankle doctor quickly.

The foot doctor or podiatrist may order an X-ray and an MRI to evaluate the severity of the ulcer, for instance, whether there is any infection in the bone.

Do not let a wound worsen without treatment. With the passage of time, it becomes less likely to heal. If you have diabetes and you spot a foot infection, remember to keep your blood sugar under control and follow up regularly with your foot doctor or podiatrist, even if the injury doesn’t hurt.

To learn more or to consult an experienced podiatrist in Phoenix, AZ, call Oasis Foot and Ankleat 602-993-2700 Now! 


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