Diabetic foot is a diabetic condition caused by increased blood sugar levels over time. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood circulation (peripheral artery disease) in the foot, leaving them more susceptible to trauma and infections.
Diabetic foot symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling in your feet
- Burning or shooting pain.
- Changes in foot colour and temperature
- Foot abnormalities, such as hammertoes or Charcot's foot
- Slow-healing sores or ulcers
- Fungal infections, sometimes known as athlete's foot
Preventing diabetic foot complications:
Prevention is essential for avoiding diabetic foot problems. People with diabetes can take the following precautions to safeguard their feet:
- Maintain tight blood sugar control with food, exercise, and medication.
- Inspect your feet daily for symptoms of injury, infection, or changes in feeling.
- Wear correctly fitted shoes and avoid going barefoot to lower your chance of injury.
- Maintaining proper foot hygiene by washing your feet regularly and clipping your toenails.
- Avoid smoking and control other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can aggravate foot issues.
Management:
Diabetic foot issues require timely and comprehensive therapy to avoid additional damage and promote recovery. This may involve:
- Wound care consists of regularly cleaning and treating foot wounds or ulcers to avoid infection.
- Offloading pressure uses specialized footwear, orthotic devices, or casts to ease pressure on damaged regions and encourage recovery.
- Vascular interventions are surgical or endovascular procedures that enhance blood flow to the feet in severe peripheral artery disease situations.
- Antibiotic treatment is the use of antibiotics to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Diabetes patients may take charge of their foot health and lower the risk of complications by learning about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and management measures for diabetic foot. Regular foot care, tight blood sugar management, and prompt intervention are critical in preventing diabetic foot problems and ensuring general health.
