Diabetic foot problems: Common issues you need to look out for! | Zyla Health
By: Lopamudra Saha
Tags: Medical, Health, Self Care, Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Diabetes

The general view of Diabetes is still limited to the fact that it is a chronic illness that requires major dietary sacrifices. Most people hone in on the fact that a diabetes diagnosis means that they can’t indulge in their favourite desserts or mithai. However, Diabetes foot can be caused due to many other reasons apart from the consumption of sugary food,

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes high levels of blood glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells take up glucose from the blood. In diabetes, there is either less production of insulin or cells don’t react to insulin appropriately, as a result of which there is a high blood sugar level.

This resulting high blood sugar level can result in a whole host of complications. Most people are unaware that diabetes can affect our eyes (diabetic retinopathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), feet (diabetic foot ulcers) and many more.

In this blog, we will explore how diabetic foot problems can develop, treatment options and ways to avoid this complication by managing diabetes effectively.

One of the complications of diabetes is diabetic foot problems.

How does diabetes affect your feet?

Diabetes can cause a complication known as diabetic foot. Unsure of what that means? Don’t worry. We are going to simplify it so you understand exactly how this complication develops and can lead to diabetic foot problems.

Diabetes damages the nerves to cause diabetic neuropathy. This leads to the involuntary muscles (intrinsic muscles) of the feet losing their nerve feedback to undergo anatomical changes. These anatomical changes make the feet more prone to wounds.

Decreased nerve functioning leads to reduced sweating which causes the skin to become dry and become more prone to wounds.

Neuropathy i.e., gradual loss of sensation leads to decreased sensation of pain, which means that minor wounds often get missed or ignored.

Diabetes also reduces blood flow to the feet, which leads to slow healing of wounds and infections.

The foot has several compartments which allow the infection to spread unchecked and the loss of pain means that the wounds are usually ignored until they increase in severity and become diabetic ulcers.

Non-healing ulcers can become gangrene and lead to amputation of a toe, part of the foot or even the whole foot.

The foot has several compartments which allow the infection to spread.

If your blood sugar levels are on a higher side and you are confused about the right treatment, Zyla can help you. Check our website for more information- Zyla.in

Let us now look at some common diabetic foot problems.

Common diabetic feet problems

The common foot problems in diabetes include:

1. Callus

The buildup of hard skin especially on the sole of feet. It occurs due to uneven distribution of weight. It is usually caused by improperly fitting shoes or by a skin problem.

2. Corn

The hardened layer of skin that develops on the foot due to friction and pressure.

3. Blisters

A diabetic blister on the feet is a fluid-filled swelling that develops on repeated friction and pressure.

4. Bunions

It’s a bony swelling that develops on the outer part of the big toe as the bones of the big toe point towards the smaller toes. Usually made worse by wearing tight shoes.

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of the nail grow into the skin. This usually causes pressure and pain along the nail edges. It can lead to redness, swelling and infections along the nail edges.

6. Hammertoe

Foot deformity where the toe is bent on account of weakened muscles that cause the toe to curl or bend under the foot.

7. Plantar warts

Flesh coloured growths on the bottom of the feet. Usually have black spots in the centre.

Open sore or wound that develops on the feet. It is usually slow to heal in diabetes and can become gangrenous and require amputation.

Now that you know that foot problems are commonly seen in diabetes, let’s take a look at the signs of diabetic feet.

What are the signs of diabetic feet?

It is important to be aware of how diabetic foot can present itself in order to ensure that you seek timely help and prevent the development of serious diabetic foot problems or gangrene that can ultimately result in an amputation.

Awareness of how the disease presents and progresses is important for all diabetics.

Signs of the diabetic foot problem include:

Changes in skin colour: This can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the feet.

This can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the feet. Changes in skin temperature: This can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the feet.

This can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the feet. Pain in the feet: This can be a sign of infection.

This can be a sign of infection. Swelling in the feet: Accumulation of fluid in the legs is a sign of reduced blood flow and drainage and should not be ignored.

Accumulation of fluid in the legs is a sign of reduced blood flow and drainage and should not be ignored. Dry cracks in heels: Skin becomes dry in diabetes due to neuropathy and tends to get cracked.

Skin becomes dry in diabetes due to neuropathy and tends to get cracked. Open wounds or blisters that take time to heal: Reduced healing time has been noticed in case of high blood sugar levels.

Reduced healing time has been noticed in case of high blood sugar levels. Persistent foot odour: This could be a sign of an infected wound that is non-healing in nature.

Now that you know what signs to look out for, let us look at some complications of the diabetic feet problems that are important to be aware of…

DIabetic foot problems.

Complications of diabetic foot problem

Some of the common complications for diabetic foot include:

1. Skin and bone infections (Osteomyelitis):

Slow healing and reduced blood flow to the wound site mean that any cut or wound heals slowly and develops into an ulcer. These ulcers can progress in depth to reach the bone causing an infection known as osteomyelitis which can be complicated to treat.

2. Abscess formation

Sometimes a local infection can result in the formation of swelling filled with pus that can increase in size. Remember to consult a doctor immediately and avoid squeezing or popping the abscess by yourself as it can lead to worsening of infection.

3. Foot deformities

Nerve damage in diabetes leads to a number of foot deformities like bunions, hammertoe deformity, Charcot deformity etc, which can cause wounds that can increase in size and severity if not monitored.

4. Gangrene

This is a severe complication of diabetic foot. The foot has compartments that are supplied by blood vessels, as the blood flow reduces to these compartments, it leads to the development of gangrene as the tissue dies.

5. Amputation

Amputation is often the only way of preventing the progression of the infection into the bone (osteomyelitis) or the progression of gangrene once it sets in.

This makes it even more important that you do not ignore the diabetic foot symptoms and you are watchful of your foot health to avoid any diabetic foot problems.

Once ulcers and infections set in, they are often difficult to treat, which means that the amputation of the diseased part of the foot is the only possible treatment option.

Zyla can offer treatment and care which is simple and easy for you. Download the Zyla app to start your healthy journey now!

Did you know? People with diabetes are 10 to 20 times more likely to need an amputation as compared to those who do not have diabetes.

Let us now learn about when it is important to consult your physician for your foot health…

When should you consult your doctor?

In the case of diabetic foot problems, prevention and good blood sugar control are the most effective tools in your weaponry.

You may have no pain in your feet or miss the early signs of a wound. This means that regularly self-examining your foot to look for early signs or changes that may be concerning may help you quickly identify a problem and alert your consulting doctor.

Some changes to look out for include:

Any cuts, sores or red spots on your foot

Swelling or fluid-filled blisters

Ingrown toenails that are causing pain or redness

Corn or calluses

Plantar warts on the base of your foot

Fungal infections of nails or athlete’s foot

Warm or cold spots on the leg

Signs of nerve damage like burning, tingling, numbness etc.

Changes in the colour of the leg, if it turns blue or white or re

A foot infection that becomes black or smelly — could signal gangrene

In any of the above cases, please reach out to your consulting doctor without haste. These signs usually either signal the beginning of diabetic feet problem or could lead to diabetic foot if not treated properly.

Prevention of a diabetic foot

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Prevention is the best cure’? In the case of diabetic foot, this is extremely true.

Prevention of wounds and ulcers in diabetic feet is the best way to prevent the development of gangrene, osteomyelitis or amputation later down the line.

Here are some tips for healthy feet that can help in prevention:

Check your feet everyday: Checking your feet everyday can help you catch problems early. Ensuring you check it at a fixed time every day i.e, in the evening after taking off your shoes can ensure that you don’t miss the early signs.

Checking your feet everyday can help you catch problems early. Ensuring you check it at a fixed time every day i.e, in the evening after taking off your shoes can ensure that you don’t miss the early signs. Wash your feet everyday: Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water with soap everyday. Avoid soaking feet for too long as it can cause the skin to dry out. It helps in preventing fungal and other infections.

Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water with soap everyday. Avoid soaking feet for too long as it can cause the skin to dry out. It helps in preventing fungal and other infections. Smooth corn and calluses: Consult a doctor about using a pumice stone to keep your feet smooth. Avoid cutting or using tools on corns and calluses as it could lead to an infection.

Consult a doctor about using a pumice stone to keep your feet smooth. Avoid cutting or using tools on corns and calluses as it could lead to an infection. Trim nails : Trim nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

: Trim nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Wear socks and shoes at all times : Avoid walking barefoot even in socks in order to prevent wounds. Choose well-fitting shoes and clean padded socks that fit well.

: Avoid walking barefoot even in socks in order to prevent wounds. Choose well-fitting shoes and clean padded socks that fit well. Keep the blood flowing: Put your feet up when you are sitting. Avoid wearing tight socks and shoes.

Put your feet up when you are sitting. Avoid wearing tight socks and shoes. Stop smoking : It reduces the blood flow to the feet and causes the narrowing of blood vessels.

: It reduces the blood flow to the feet and causes the narrowing of blood vessels. Yearly foot exam: Get a yearly foot exam by your physician in order to discuss any concerns you may have and keep a tab on your foot health.

For more such tips on management of a diabetic foot or your diabetes, download the Zyla app today or check out our website- Zyla.in.

Trim nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

Let us now look at what treatment options are available for a diabetic foot.

Diabetic foot treatment: How do you get rid of diabetic feet?

The treatment options for diabetic foot include:

Keeping blood sugar under control : Tightly controlling blood sugar through diet and medical management is of utmost importance in the management of a diabetic foot.

: Tightly controlling blood sugar through diet and medical management is of utmost importance in the management of a diabetic foot. Offloading: You may be asked to wear a special brace or use crutches to take the weight off the affected foot in order to promote healing.

You may be asked to wear a special brace or use crutches to take the weight off the affected foot in order to promote healing. Debridement of wound: This involves the removal of all infected tissue to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Diabetic foot ulcers usually require frequent dressing and wound care to promote good healing.

This involves the removal of all infected tissue to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Diabetic foot ulcers usually require frequent dressing and wound care to promote good healing. Infection control: It is common to prescribe antibiotics in order to treat the infection.

It is common to prescribe antibiotics in order to treat the infection. Amputation: Amputation is reserved for wounds that do not heal despite treatment, or when health is threatened by gangrene. Untreated gangrene is life-threatening.

All these steps need to be done simultaneously in order to treat infection most effectively. In case you feel like your wound is severe or has any of the signs mentioned in the section prior to this, please seek immediate care.

Now that you’ve understood what diabetes foot is, how it presents, why foot care is so important for a diabetic, it’s important to remember not to get worried or overwhelmed.

Focus on the steps that you can control for your best health, like daily self-examinations and buying footwear that is well fitted. Involve your family, ask them to help you look for things you may have missed and keep you accountable.

You should always reach out to your physician in case you are worried about a wound that can cause diabetic feet problems. It is best not to delay seeking medical care. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry!

If you are looking for personalised diabetes treatment from experts then you can download the Zyla app. At Zyla, we are a team of 50+ medical experts who can help you keep your diabetes under control in a way that is best and easy for you to follow.

Stay healthy!

Connect with us:

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2o19OzE to watch videos on health and health-related conditions. Find us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/zylahealth Join our Facebook community, “Defeating Diabetes” and get daily updates:https://bit.ly/2nloObl Find us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zylahealth/ Visit our website:https://www.zyla.in/ Talk to us on WhatsApp — https://goo.gl/kjofP

References