If you have diabetes, your doctor will assess your control of your blood sugar. In most cases, your doctor can tell that you have a foot ulcer simply by looking at your foot. There may be drainage on the sock and a foul odor. The caregiver may notice that foot looks red and swollen. In disabled or elderly patients, a relative or caregiver may be the one who becomes aware of the problem. If not, then a person with a foot ulcer may not know it is there, particularly if the ulcer is located on a less obvious portion of the foot. If the nerves in the foot are functioning normally, then the ulcer will be painful. In very severe ulcers, the red crater may be deep enough to expose tendons or bones. This round crater can be surrounded by a border of thickened, callused skin. Most foot ulcers are located on the side or bottom of the foot or on the top or tip of a toe. SymptomsĪ foot ulcer looks like a red crater in the skin. This cancer occasionally looks like a foot ulcer. ![]() A foot ulcer in a person who has none of these health problems may need to be checked for skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. It is rare for a foot ulcer to be unrelated to these risk factors and illnesses. They turn blue, and red again as the circulation returns to normal. During these episodes, the fingers and toes turn white as the blood supply diminishes. This condition causes sudden episodes of decreased blood flow to the fingers and toes. This condition involves poor circulation to the legs. In addition to diabetes, other medical conditions that increase the risk of foot ulcers include: Or, it may lead to deep infection or gangrene and amputation. Without prompt and proper treatment, a foot ulcer may require hospital treatment. This is because the long-term complications of diabetes often include neuropathy and circulatory problems. More than any other group, people with diabetes have a particularly high risk of developing foot ulcers. Examples are claw feet, feet with fractures, and cases of severe arthritis. This is particularly true if the foot is forced into shoes that don't fit the foot's altered shape. Any condition that distorts the normal anatomy of the foot can lead to foot ulcers. This is a disease in which fatty deposits of cholesterol build up inside arteries.Ībnormalities in the bones or muscles of the feet. It also causes pain in the leg or buttock during walking. Poor circulation in the leg arteries is called peripheral artery disease. This makes the skin more vulnerable to injury. Less blood reaches the feet, which deprives cells of oxygen. Any illness that decreases circulation to the feet can cause foot ulcers. Many elderly people and diabetics with vision problems also can't see their feet well enough to examine them for problems.Ĭirculatory problems. They can injure their feet significantly and never know it, unless they examine their feet routinely for injury. People with peripheral neuropathy may not be able to feel when they've stepped on something sharp or when they have an irritating pebble in their shoe. When this happens, tight-fitting shoes can trigger a foot ulcer by rubbing on a part of the foot that has become numb. ![]() When nerves in the feet are damaged, they can no longer warn about pain or discomfort. Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy. This is nerve damage in the feet or lower legs. gangrene - an area of dead, darkened body tissue caused by poor blood flow.Īmong people with diabetes, most severe foot infections that ultimately require some part of the toe, foot, or lower leg to be amputated start as a foot ulcer. ![]() a spreading infection of the skin and underlying fat ( cellulitis).If an infection occurs in an ulcer and is not treated right away, it can develop into In people with these conditions, even a small foot ulcer can become infected if it does not heal quickly. It can be difficult to heal a foot ulcer. People with diabetes and people with poor circulation are more likely to develop foot ulcers. It may involve tendons, bones, and other deep structures. A deep foot ulcer may be a crater that extends through the full thickness of the skin. Last updated on Mar 16, 2023.Ī foot ulcer is an open sore on the foot.Ī foot ulcer can be a shallow red crater that involves only the surface skin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |