diabetic shoes | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

What Causes a Diabetic Foot Sore?

Causes, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Sores

Persistently high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage commonly known as diabetic neuropathy. Although diabetic neuropathy can develop in any part of the body, it mostly occurs in the feet and legs. The condition typically causes loss of feeling in the feet and as a result it becomes difficult to notice a cut, sore, or blister. For instance, you might not notice pebbles in your socks that are cutting your feet. A wound that goes unnoticed and hence untreated can easily become infected.

Diabetes might also affect the flow of blood to the feet and legs. As a result, diabetes patients are more likely to develop PAD 9peripheral artery disease), a condition that narrows or blocks arteries. Poor circulation (reduced blood flow) can make it hard for diabetic foot sores or infections to heal.

Diabetic foot sores and infections are common complications of poorly managed or unmanaged diabetes. Diabetes is managed through various methods including insulin treatment, exercise, and diet.

Foot sores as a result of the breakdown of tissue expose the delicate tissues underneath. Areas that are most commonly affected include the balls of your feet and your big toes, and they can damage your feet to the bones.

Diabetic foot sores can affect anyone but they can be easily prevented through good foot care. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the diabetic foot sores. Therefore, it is essential to discuss any foot concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure the problem is addressed, as infected sores can even result in serious complications including amputation if left untreated.

What are the causes of diabetic foot sores?

The most common causes of foot sores in diabetes patients include:

Nerve damage
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Poor circulation
Wounded or irritated feet

Poor circulation is one of the most common vascular diseases in which blood does not flow to the feet effectively. You should keep in mind that poor circulation makes it more difficult for foot sores, ulcers, and wounds to heal.

High blood sugar levels can also hamper the healing process of infected foot ulcers. Therefore, proper blood glucose management is extremely critical. People with ailments such as type 2 diabetes usually have a hard time fighting off infections including infections from foot sores.

Nerve damage is one of the long-term effects that can lead to loss of feeling in the feet. Moreover, damaged nerves tend to feel painful and tingly. Nerve damage also reduces sensitivity to pain and can easily cause painless wounds that cause foot sores.

Foot sores are usually identified by fluid drainage from affected areas and sometimes noticeable lumps that are not always painful.

Are you at risk of developing diabetic foot sores?

All diabetes patients are at risk of developing diabetic foot sores, which may have several causes. Factors that increase the risk of foot sores include:

Poor quality or poorly fitted shoes
Poor hygiene (Feet should be washed regularly and dried well)
Untrimmed or poorly trimmed toenails
Eye disease (typically from diabetes)
Kidney disease
Alcohol consumption
Heart disease
Tobacco use (can inhibit circulation)
Obesity

Diabetic foot sores are also more common in older people especially men.

Signs of diabetic neuropathy

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:

Pain
Darkening of the affected area and the surrounding skin
Tingling
Loss of hair in the area
Diminished sensitivity to cold or hot
Numbness

If diabetic neuropathy causes diabetic foot sores, some of the symptoms you should watch out for include:

Changes to the toenails or skin, including sores, cuts, blisters or calluses
Pain
Discharge of pus or fluid
Swelling
Redness
Foul smell
Skin discoloration

Treatment for diabetic foot sores

Doctors may recommend off-loading (staying off your feet) which helps prevent pain from foot sores and has been proven to be helpful for all forms of foot sores caused by diabetes. Remember, pressure from activities such as walking can expand foot sores and make infections worse. You may also be prescribed certain items to reduce pain and protect your feet:

Foot braces
Shoe inserts (to prevent calluses and corns)
Compression wraps
Casts
Shoes designed for diabetes patients

Preventive measures

Infection of diabetic foot sores can be prevented with:

Disinfecting the area surrounding the sore
Footbaths
Frequent dressing changes to keep the sores dry
Dressings to prevent bacteria growth
Enzyme treatments

It is essential for people with diabetes to take proper care of their feet and keep their blood sugar levels within the recommended ranges to prevent diabetic foot sores and more serious complications such as hospitalization or amputation (to prevent the infection from spreading).

Do you Suffer from Diabetic Foot Numbness?

What is Diabetic Neuropathy Numbness?

It is a complication caused by nerve damage that occurs in diabetes patients. High blood glucose levels have the potential to injure or damage nerves throughout the body. However, diabetic neuropathy usually injures nerves in the feet and legs.

However, depending on the nerves that have been affected and the level of damage, diabetic neuropathy signs and symptoms can range from numbness to pain in your feet and legs. Therefore, some people can have mild signs but for others, the condition can be disabling and quite painful.

Diabetic neuropathy affects about 50% of all diabetes patients. However, the condition can be prevented or slowed with a healthy lifestyle and consistent blood sugar management.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

The symptoms usually depend on the nerves which have been affected and patients may not notice anything is amiss until significant damage occurs.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is also known as distal symmetric peripheral diabetic neuropathy and it is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy.

It usually affects the legs and feet first before progressing to the arms and hands. Symptoms of peripheral diabetic neuropathy are usually worse during the night and they may include:

Numbness in feet and legs
Burning or tingling sensation
Diminished ability to feel temperature changes or pain
Higher sensitivity to touch (even a blanket’s weight can be uncomfortable or painful for some people)
Foot problems such as infections, ulcers, joint, and bone pain
Cramps or sharp pains

It is recommended that testing for diabetic neuropathy start immediately after diagnosis with diabetes and annually after that.

Causes

Although the exact cause of diabetic foot numbness is not known, studies show that uncontrolled high blood glucose damages nerves over time and affects their ability to transmit signals, causing diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, high blood glucose weakens the walls of capillaries (small blood vessels) that deliver nutrients and oxygen to the nerves.

Risk factors

Although anyone suffering from diabetes can develop diabetic neuropathy, some factors increase the risk of getting nerve damage.

Diabetes history:

The risk of developing diabetic neuropathy numbness is higher for people who have suffered from diabetes for longer, especially if their blood glucose is not well controlled.

Uncontrolled blood sugar:

Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of all diabetes complications, including diabetic neuropathy numbness.

Being overweight:

If you have a BMI (body mass index) of 25 of more, your risk of diabetic neuropathy is higher.

Smoking:

Smoking hardens and narrows the arteries hence reducing blood flow to the feet and legs. Reduced blood flow causes numbness and damages peripheral nerves making it harder for wounds to heal.

Kidney disease:

Chronic conditions such as diabetes can damage your kidneys. Damaged kidneys send toxins into your bloodstream leading to nerve damage.

Complications of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy can lead to various complications, such as:

Loss of a leg, foot, or toe

Nerve damage leads to loss of feeling in the feet, so cuts and other minor injuries can turn into ulcers or patients without the patient realizing it. Some cases can gradually become severe and infections can cause tissue death or spread to the bone. Amputation (removal) of the lower leg, foot or a toe may even be necessary.

Hypoglycemia unawareness

If your blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl, you may experience a fast heartbeat, sweating, and shaking. However, people with autonomic diabetes neuropathy may miss these symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Urinary tract infections

If nerves that control the bladder are destroyed, you may not fully empty the bladder. This can lead to the buildup of bacteria in the kidneys and bladder, causing infections of the urinary tract.

Sharp drop in your blood pressure

If the nerves that control blood flow are damaged, the body’s ability to control blood pressure may be affected. This can cause fainting and dizziness due to sharp drops in pressure, especially after standing.

Other complications of diabetic neuropathy include digestive problems, decreased or increased sweating, and sexual dysfunction.

How can you Prevent Diabetic Foot Numbness?

Diabetic neuropathy numbness and its complications can be prevented or delayed by managing blood glucose levels properly and taking good care of the feet.

Foot care for diabetics

Good foot care practices include:

Checking your feet for cuts, peeling and cracked skin, swelling, redness, bruises, and blisters every day.
Keep your feet dry and clean
Trim toenails carefully
Moisturize your feet
Wear dry, clean socks
Wear shoes that fit well
Use cushioned shoes

Foot problems such as ulcers, sores that don’t heal and amputations are some complications of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. However, these problems can be prevented by having a foot examination once a year and taking good care of the feet.

Read about diabetic foot swelling HERE!

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