The foot is one body part that is very susceptible to infection in
diabetics, making appropriate foot care a necessity. When the skin of
the foot is rendered open to external elements, due to a break or
laceration, infection may soon follow. The tissue underneath the skin
may then be damaged if the infection progresses. Implementing the right
type of medical care immediately may halt the progression of the
infection so that surgery is not needed.
1. The small arteries and capillaries that deliver nutrients and
oxygen to the foot may suffer from microvascular disease.
2. The nerve tissue might be affected. The danger with this is
that the patient might not be alerted to serious injuries suffered by
his foot due to contact with certain things like carpet tacks or
heating pads.
3. The major arteries of the limbs and feet might become narrower
or completely blocked due to macrovascular disease of large vessels.
4. Ulceration and infection can result from the presence of
structural deformities of the foot (including corns, bunions, cocked
toes, and hammertoe.)
5. The feet might experience unnecessary pressure because its
shoes do not fit properly, making the individual susceptible to
developing corns or callouses. (A callous refers to the thickening of
the skin’s outer layers that reduces the cushioning of the soles of the
feet to a certain degree.)
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment
Diabetic patients must learn to care properly for their feet and toes
everyday. This means drying the areas between the toes well, and
looking for signs of fungal or bacterial infection. The patient should
be alert to the risk posed by bruises, blisters, scratches, and cuts on
the feet. Patients should also try to discern if their lower
extremities are experiencing decreased sensation, dryness, pallor, or
coolness which may indicate the onset of poor circulation and
neuropathy. Pressure areas, corns and bunions can be avoided if the
patient wears molded shoes. Any infection present must be immediately
treated.
When washing the feet, you can use lukewarm, not hot, water. Never soak
your feet in water for a long time – maceration and infection may occur
due to softening of the skin. Be gentle yet thorough in drying your
feet. It is necessary to use moisture restoring cream to retain the
skin’s moisture – never use other lotions or creams, especially between
the toes. If your feet tend to sweat, use talcum powder but do not
allow the powder to cake in areas between toes. When cutting your
nails, clip them straight across then rely on an emery board to
smoothen edges. Never attempt to cut your corns and calluses. To
determine the right routine foot care to follow, seek the advice of a
podiatrist (especially when your dexterity or vision is compromised.)
Diabetics benefit the most from cotton socks, which should be changed
everyday. Diabetics should also completely avoid hot water bottles and
electric heating pads since these may severely burn the legs and feet,
leaving such extremities vulnerable to gangrene. A podiatrist is the
specialist who should undertake certain types of foot care for the
patient, such as trimming and debridement of callous formation.
A vascular surgeon should be consulted when it seems that the blood
vessels of the lower extremities are getting narrower or becoming
completely blocked, necessitating surgery. One type of treatment for
arteriosclerotic vessels is the vascular bypass operation. This
involves getting a segment of a vein in the leg which will be
relocated to the affected area of the artery.
