This leaves the wound vulnerable to infection and deficient in the nutrients it needs to heal. Worse yet, diabetes also causes nerve damage. This means that you might not be able to feel or sense the infected, slow-healing wound on your body. This explains why diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in the United States!
Wounds can develop anywhere on the body, but diabetics are most vulnerable to cuts, scrapes, and sores on their lower extremities. Given that diabetic foot problems are the most common cause of hospitalization among diabetic patients, proper treatment is essential to long-term health. A diabetic foot ulcer begins just like any normal wound. It might be a cut, scrape, blister, or other minor injury.
The complications of poorly controlled diabetes, including slow circulation and nerve damage, prevent such wounds from healing normally. Instead, the skin breaks down further and exposes deeper layers of tissue to bacteria and infection. If you notice any of the following signs , seek medical care immediately:.
Many diabetic foot ulcers develop under the big toe and along the balls of the feet. The earlier you can identify your diabetic foot ulcer and receive treatment, the better your chances of preventing severe complications.
Instead, a wound like a diabetic foot ulcer will become more and more severe until it threatens your entire foot or even your life. This type of infection is hard to stop once it begins, making amputation the only procedure capable of halting the spread of infection and saving your life. This is why the most common diabetic amputations occur on the toes, feet, and lower legs. Diabetes develops when your body cannot properly produce or use insulin, the hormone that transforms sugar into usable energy.
This is especially true since bacteria thrive on the excess sugar available in the bloodstream of a person with diabetes. Weak healing functions, rapidly reproducing bacteria, and untreated infection create the perfect storm for severe, non-healing diabetic wounds.
Take the following precautions to minimize your likelihood of developing a non-healing diabetic wound. Purchasing properly fitting shoes is the simplest way to prevent diabetic wounds on your feet. Ill-fitting shoes rub and cause blisters to form, and those blisters quickly lead to diabetic foot ulcers. The right shoes will be tight enough to stop fabric from rubbing against the skin, but loose enough to fit all toes comfortably. Many diabetic patients even choose specialty orthopedic shoes that are custom made to fit the size, shape, and contours of their feet.
In addition to wearing the right shoes, be sure to check your feet, or ask a spouse or friend to check your feet, every single day. Diabetic nerve damage makes it much harder for you to feel any pain caused by wounds, so only a visual inspection will reveal signs of injury. Look carefully for cuts, cracks, and blisters. Check closely around the nails since this area is especially vulnerable to infection.
Also make sure to wash your feet at least once a day with warm water and dry them afterwards. Take this time to gently trim your toenails in a way that prevents ingrown nails. Doing these little things can make a big difference and prevent future complications. Taking quick, preventive action is key, he notes. Why are diabetic wounds slow to heal?
Here are 3 reasons:. Blood sugar is more than just a number on your glucose meter. But high glucose levels disturb the micro-environment of your arteries, and when out of balance, your blood vessels can stiffen and narrow at an accelerated rate. This reduction in blood flow lowers the amount of oxygen and nutrients your cells need to function properly.
Keeping your blood sugar level stable can help wounds and injuries heal quicker. Diabetes and high blood sugar can cause nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. As a result, you may subject yourself to repetitive trauma without even realizing it. Debridement helps remove dead tissue and bacteria from the wound. Off-loading and special inserts or shoes allow the pressure to be removed from the wound so that it can heal.
Diabetes causes blockages with calcium deposits inside your small blood vessels, which are below the knee, and this prevents oxygen and nutrients from getting to your feet. The vascular surgeons at South Bay Vascular Center have a special interest and expertise in opening these blood vessels in order to bring flow to your toes and feet that can help save patients from amputation. If you or anyone you know suffers from diabetes and are experiencing foot wounds that do not heal, call us immediately at to schedule an appointment to have these wounds evaluated.
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