Basically, a foot ulcer is a wound or open sore that appears on the feet. A big percentage of diabetic sufferers is affected by this and it is important that everyone should be aware of this in order to prevent it or at least know how to treat it.
Foot ulcers appear commonly on the soles of the feet. However, it can also appear on any part of the foot. This is a very serious problem for diabetics as many patients who had foot ulcers ended up requiring amputation of the affected limb. This is why diabetes is the leading causes of non traumatic limb amputation.
Foot ulcers are very common among diabetics. It is important that you should know how to prevent this from happening to you as this is the most common cause of non-traumatic amputation of the lower limbs. Any person with diabetes can have foot ulcers. However, there are several factors that significantly increase the risk. By learning about the factors that increase the risk of foot ulcers, you will be able to know how to effectively prevent it.
Poor blood glucose control is one major factor that increases the risk of developing foot ulcers. Other factors that significantly increase the risk of developing foot ulcers in diabetic patients are sensory neuropathy, poor circulation, poor foot healthcare, inappropriate or ill fitting footwear, foot deformity, and history of previous ulceration.
If you are suffering from diabetes and that you have neuropathy and reduced or poor circulation, then you are very likely to get foot ulcers. This is a classic example of the causes of foot ulcer. If you decide to go on a long walk with new shoes and that you have neuropathy and poor circulation, then it is very likely that you may develop foot ulcers. The new pair of shoes and the duration of the walk can cause chaffing in the feet, which you will not feel as you have loss of feeling in the feet or because of sensory neuropathy. The chaffing will then develop in to a blister, which you will not notice for the same reason.
As a result of poor circulation of blood, the blister will not be able to heal, which can turn in to an ulcer.
This is one scenario that can possibly cause foot ulcer. Other classic cases would be getting an ingrown toenail which can injure your feet and cause foot ulcers.
I would like to make some suggestions on how you can prevent foot ulcers. By following these, you can be sure that you will be able to decrease the risk of developing foot ulcers and decrease the likelihood of amputation. But before follow-up, kindly don't forget to consult your doctor - he may guide you proper way of curing.
The first is to check your blood glucose level regularly. By doing so, you will be able to effectively monitor and regulate your blood glucose levels at acceptable levels.
In addition to that, checking your feet using a mirror is a must especially if you have sensory neuropathy. By doing so, you will be able to know if you developed chaffing in your feet, which can develop in to blisters then in to foot ulcers.
Cleaning the feet with warm water and mild soap can also help prevent foot ulcers. Always remember that after every washing, you need to dry your feet thoroughly especially between the toes.
If you are cutting toenails, never cut down in to corners as this can cause an ingrown toenail to develop. Instead, try cutting the toenails straight across. If you are unsure on how to properly cut your toenails, you should consult a podiatrist.
Appropriate footwear is necessary for diabetics. Make sure that the shoes you get fit you adequately. Consult your podiatrist in order to make sure that the shoes you get is comfortable and one that has enough space for your feet that it will not cause injuries.
Although any diabetic patient can develop foot ulcer, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing it.
Poor blood glucose control is one factor that can increase the risk of developing foot ulcer. You have to remember that proper diabetes management requires you to constantly regulate your blood sugar level. If you fail to do so and that your blood glucose level fluctuates, then you will end up experiencing unpleasant signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which include foot ulcers.
Sensory neuropathy is another factor that can increase the risk of foot ulcers in diabetics. This is when the patient loses the feeling in the feet. This is due to nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels.
Long duration of diabetes can also be the cause of foot ulcers. This means that in the long run, you will likely experience getting foot ulcers.
Poor circulation of blood can also lead to foot ulcers as well as foot deformity, poor foot healthcare, and inappropriate footwear.
There are many causes of foot ulcers to develop. A classic example would be a diabetic with sensory neuropathy going for a long walk on new or ill fitting shoes. These shoes can be hard on the feet, which can cause chaffing. Because of the sensory neuropathy, the patient will not feel the chaffing, which then causes blisters to form, which the patient will not be aware of.
Because of reduced circulation, the blister will not heal and will eventually turn in to an ulcer. Because of high blood sugar levels in the body, the ulcer is unable to heal. Combine this with continual pressure on the area, and then you have a perfect case for foot ulcer.
To treat the foot ulcer, the main goal is to get the ulcer to heal as soon as possible. The faster the ulcer heals, the less chance there is that it will get infected. During treatment, preventing infection should be your goal. You can do this by regularly disinfecting the affected area. You should also remove dead skin of the wound surrounding the area as well as relieve pressure by applying pressure relieve padding on shoes.
These are the things that you need to remember about foot ulcer. Foot ulcers are preventable. The key to this is to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels as well as being aware of what's going on with your body.
Be Happy – You Can Treat Foot Ulcers Easily.
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