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.

What causes diabetic foot soresDiabetic 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:

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

Sores on feet diabetes

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).

blisters on feet diabetes

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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:

Numb feet diabetes

  • 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Uncontrolled blood sugar:

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

  1. Being overweight:

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

  1. 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.

  1. 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.Neuropathy shoes

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!

diabetes toe numbness

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Diabetes supply company

diabetes supply company
diabetes supply company

There are so many diabetes supply companies out there that sometimes it can get overwhelming when trying to determine which one is the right one for us. Diabetes supply companies can be found online, through your phonebook or through your local doctor’s office.

Diabetes supply companies are a great source of knowledge when it comes to diabetic supplies and being able to get everything that you need in order to properly take care of your diabetes. Diabetic supply companies have a great source of products ranging from testing strips, lancets, diabetic testing meters, medications, blood pressure cuffs, blood glucose logs and many other items that a diabetic may need. On diabetes supply companies you can even purchase a wide variety of diabetic shoes, socks and pants that work well and are made just for diabetic patients.

Diabetes supply companies is a great place for you to shop if you or a loved one is a diabetic because it offers you a chance to purchase all of your diabetic supplies in one great location at great prices and by being able to shop in one easy to shop location, you are able to save time and money. Without having to go from store to store or company to company you are able to get all of your diabetic supplies in one location which can save you time from traveling and also time from having to go from place to place.

Diabetes supply companies are easy and affordable and are put in place to help you get everything that you need from one great location so that you can save time and money all while being able to take care of your health and manage your diabetes. So if you are a diabetic, why not shop through a diabetes supply company that cares about your needs and who can help you?

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