Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment, Texas are open wounds that are commonly located at the base of the foot. Diabetic foot ulcers mostly affect people with diabetes.
Diabetic foot ulcers are formed when the skin tissue breaks down and exposes the underlying layers.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment, Texas
According to reports, approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes have diabetic foot ulcers. However, anyone who has diabetes could be affected by diabetic foot ulcers depending on how well they control the diabetes and care for their foot.
Causes of diabetic foot ulcers
Every patient with diabetes has a higher risk to develop foot ulcers. There are several factors that could lead to foot ulcers.
- Poor circulation of blood – This is a vascular disease that leads to poor blood flow to your feet.
- Neuropathy – The inability to feel pain in your feet due to nerve damage which is caused by an increased level of blood sugar is known as neuropathy. Patients with diabetes can develop neuropathy which could lead to foot ulcers.
Other causes of foot ulcers include:
- Foot deformities
- Irritation
- Trauma
Risk factors for developing foot ulcers
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment, Texas common risk factors that cause foot ulcers include diabetic neuropathy, auxiliary foot disfigurement, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
The risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers include:
- Race –Native Americans, African-Americans and Hispanics are more at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers.
- Age –Older adults, especially older men are at higher risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers.
- Obesity –Individuals who are overweight are at higher risk
- Excess intake of alcohol –Individuals who drink alcohol excessively and over a long period of time could develop diabetic foot ulcers.
- Smoking –Smokers are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
- People who use insulin frequently are at higher risk.
- Patients with diabetes-related kidney
- Patients with heart disease
- Wearing of poorly fitted shoes
- Improper trimming and care of toenails
- Patients with eye disease from diabetes
Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers
Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers
It is important to identify diabetic foot ulcers at early stages. The ability to recognize diabetic foot ulcer symptoms is very crucial for early treatment and cure. If a diabetic foot ulcer is not treated on time, it could lead to infection, permanent disfigurement or lower extremity amputation.
The signs of diabetic foot ulcers are not always obvious, especially at the early stages. You may not see any signs of the ulcer until it have become infected. Also, you may not feel any pain due to nerve damage.
You need to be very observant and take notice of every little change that takes place on your foot.
Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers include:
- Skin discoloration around the affected area
- Loss of sensation or numbness
- Unusual swelling and warmth around the affected area
- Irritation
- Dry and thickened skin around the wound
- Black tissue surrounding the ulcer
- Gangrene
- Pain
- Drainage coming out from the wound
- Bad odors from the wound
- Skin cracking
- Calluses
- Corns
- Bleeding from the wound
- Advanced stages lead to fever
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcer
Early treatment of diabetic foot ulcers can prevent the ulcer from getting infected.
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcer
The appropriate treatment methods for diabetic foot ulcers include:
Managing blood glucose and other related health problems
Managing and Keeping your blood glucose level under control can help improve and prevent diabetic foot ulcers.
Preventing the ulcer from getting infected
Keep your foot ulcers from getting infected by having regular foot baths, keeping the ulcer dry with frequent dressing changes, disinfecting the skin around the ulcer, enzyme treatments, and dressing the ulcer with calcium alginates to prevent bacterial growth.
Taking pressure off the area
Excessive pressure can make the ulcer expand and lead to infection. Taking off pressure helps to lessen the stress exerted on the affected foot. Individuals that are overweight are advised to take necessary measures to lose excess weight.
Removing dead skin and tissue (Debridement)
This is the removal of dead skin tissue from the surface of the wound. Removing the dead skin from the surface of the wound aids healing and prevents infection.
Applying medication and dressing the ulcer
Applying antibiotics, anti-platelets, or anti-clotting medications to prevent infection and facilitate the healing process.
Surgery
Surgical procedures may be done to alleviate pressure off the affected area. Surgery involves shaving down the bone or removing foot deformities. Amputating the affected foot or leg may be suggested by your doctor if the ulcer has gotten infected and refused to heal.
