Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the complications of diabetes which can cause severe infection in individuals. This infection can even lead to the removal of the foot (amputation) in order to treat the patient. Diabetic foot ulcers can be treated by various methods to prevent the risk of amputation and health of the individual. Today we are going to discuss various treatment options in diabetic foot ulcers.
What is a diabetic foot ulcer?
Diabetic foot ulcer is a skin sore or wound on the feet of the diabetic individuals which is caused due to the nerve or vascular damage in the feet of the patients. It often causes no sensation due to the nerve damage which can lead to severe infection due to the negligence of the diabetic patient. These wounds do not heal or undergo a slow healing process due to the high glucose level in the body.
Symptoms Of Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Diabetic foot ulcer can leads to the following symptoms which are given below:
Changes in color: You may experience a color change in the skin due to the infection.
Swelling in the foot or ankle: Patients may experience unusual swelling in the foot or ankle.
Pain in the legs: Patients may experience pain or irritation in the leg or foot due to ulceration.
Open sores: The patient may have an unhealing or slow-healing wound in the feet.
Calluses: Patients may have a formation of thick skin on the feet.
Foot odor: You may experience an unusual odor from the feet due to infection.
What are the reasons for diabetic foot ulcers?
A diabetic ulcer can be caused by the following causes which are given:
Poor circulation: Poor circulation of the blood can be caused by the vascular damage of the diabetic patient, which makes the ulcer even worse.
High blood sugar: Elevated blood sugar levels can increase the risk of bacterial growth in the patient's body.
Nerve damage: Diabetic patients may experience nerve damage in the feet, which can lead to ulceration.
Improper foot care: If you are a diabetic patient it is essential to maintain personal hygiene, especially in the foot to avoid the growth of bacteria in the foot.
Treatment for diabetic foot ulcer
Diabetic foot ulcers can be treated in the following ways which are given below:
Wound Care: Treating a diabetic foot ulcer starts with gentle care for the wound itself. It's like giving it a little care—cleaning it with mild soap and water, applying a healing ointment, and carefully covering it up to protect it as it heals.
Debridement: Sometimes, the wound needs a little help getting rid of dead or infected tissue that's slowing down the healing process. Think of it as clearing away debris (death cells) to make way for new cell growth.
Offloading Techniques: It is a special technique used to lower the pressure in the ulcerated area which aids in healing the wound in diabetic foot ulcer. It can be done by using special footwear to redistribute the pressure from the infected area.
Medication: Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, antiplatelet, or anticoagulant medicine to treat and prevent the ulceration of the foot in diabetes. Also, topical agents like recombinant human epidermal growth factor (Regen-D 150mcg Gel 15gm) have wound-healing properties and are used for the faster healing of diabetic foot ulcers in individuals. It also helps to prevent amputation in diabetic patients.
Blood sugar control: If you're a diabetic patient, it is mandatory to monitor the blood glucose level in your body. Moreover, It will help to prevent any more harm that diabetes can cause to the body.. Your doctor may advise you to control the blood sugar or prescribe some antidiabetic medicine during the treatment.
Vascular Assessment and Management: Your doctor may advise you to do Doppler ultrasound or angiography to evaluate the blood flow in feet. Because a poor blood flow can affect the wound healing procedure in the diabetic patients.
Endnotes!
Educating diabetic patients about the complications of diabetics like diabetic foot ulcers, is crucial to prevent the life-threatening risk in them. Early detection and treatment can aid in preventing complications and the need for amputation in cases of diabetic foot ulcers. Remember, controlling diabetes not only helps manage the condition itself but also prevents and manages associated complications.