Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious diabetes complication that can lead to diabetic foot infections, and foot amputation if not treated aggressively. Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the leading causes for hospitalizations in people with diabetes.
Diabetes and feet – Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcer
It is known that more than 25% of people with diabetes have a diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime. Though it is a preventable condition, diabetic foot ulcers are high in incidence due to poor blood sugar control, not reaching target HbA1c, and improper foot care in diabetes.
Added to improper foot care, people with diabetes may not realize early on that they have a foot ulcer. This is due to lack of pain sensation in diabetes, poor immunity and blood supply, and not monitoring the feet every day. In fact, many people do not wear diabetic footwear in order to reduce pressure on the feet.
Excessive pressure, friction, changes in skin due to diabetes, foot deformities, and trauma also contribute to the formation of diabetic foot ulcers.
Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers include:
- Swelling near wound
- Discoloration of the skin around the wound
- Feeling of warmth
- Foot pain
- Foul-smelling pus or discharge from wound
- Thickening of skin around the wound
- In advanced stages of diabetic foot ulcers, patients may also experience a fevers and chills.
People experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately consult a diabetes doctor or a podiatrist.
