Diabetes is a lifelong condition which may cause foot problems, these problems can occur because the nerves and blood vessels are damaged.
This can affect:
- The circulation in your feet (ischaemia)
- The feeling in your feet (peripheral neuropathy)
These changes can be very gradual and you may not notice them and this is why we recommend that you have your feet examined every year.
You have a foot ulcer meaning that an area of skin has broken down and the tissue under it is now exposed.
About one in ten people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some stage.
A foot ulcer can become infected and the infection may become severe, so, it is important that you look after your foot ulcer to reduce the risk of an infection.
Controlling your diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as quitting smoking, increasing cardiovascular exercise, and controlling weight helps to reduce the risk of these life and limb-threatening problems.
Note: You may be at further risk of cardiovascular problems if you have a family history of heart disease.
As you have a foot ulcer, you will need regular podiatry treatment and your podiatrist will draw up a treatment plan for you.
Podiatry Treatment For Your Foot Ulcer
Foot ulcers are sometimes hidden beneath hard skin and can gather dead tissue around them. The podiatrist will need to remove this to help your ulcer to heal. This can cause the ulcer to bleed a little but this is completely normal. Do not try to treat the ulcer yourself.
How to Look After Your Foot Ulcer
Do not touch the dressing unless you have been properly shown how to remove and replace it and you have suitable dressings to replace the one you are changing. If the dressing accidentally comes off,
See below for more tips and advice.
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Debridement
The word debridement means the removal of dead or infected tissue. Studies show that appropriate debridement of foot ulcers help them to heal faster.
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Continue to Check Your Feet Every Day
Continue to check your feet every day for any other problem areas or danger signs.
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Danger Signs
You should pay close attention to any of the following danger signs when checking your feet look out for:
- Any new pain or throbbing
- Your foot feeling hotter than usual
- Any new areas of redness, inflammation or swelling
- Any discharge
- A new smell from your foot
- Any flu-like symptoms
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Do Not Get the Dressing Wet
Getting the dressing wet may prevent healing or allow bacteria to enter the ulcer as this will cause more problems.
Dressing protectors are available on prescription to keep the dressing dry. The
dressing protector will allow you to have a bath or shower safely while keeping your dressing dry.
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Moisturise the Surrounding Area of Your Feet
If your skin is dry, use a moisturising cream every day, avoiding areas of broken skin and the areas between your toes.
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Walking and Standing
Avoid any unnecessary standing or walking as a wound cannot heal if it is constantly under pressure.
Rest as much as possible and keep your foot up to help it to heal.
Use anything your podiatrist recommends or gives you to relieve the pressure on your foot as your podiatrist will advise you of appropriate level of activity.
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Footwear
You may be asked to wear a cast (a device to relieve pressure) or a temporary shoe until your ulcer has healed. You should not wear any other footwear until your podiatrist tells you that you can wear your own shoes again.
It is important that you wear these shoes at all times when indoors and outdoors to relieve pressure on your foot. If appropriate the podiatrist may refer you to a footwear specialist.
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Podiatry Appointments
Always attend your appointments to have your ulcer treated.
You may need regular appointments until the wound has healed.
Your appointment may be with a district nurse, a practice nurse, a treatment room nurse or your podiatrist.
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Antibiotic Treatment
You may be prescribed antibiotics, if there are signs of infection in the wound or in the nearby tissue.
Report any problems you have with the antibiotics (rashes, nausea or diarrhoea) to the person who prescribed them for you.
If this person is not available, contact your GP immediately. Make sure you have enough antibiotics to finish the course so your treatment isn’t interrupted.
If the infection is spreading, you may need to go to hospital. Here you would have antibiotics straight into your bloodstream to treat the infection quickly. However, this only happens rarely.
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Operations
Sometimes, if an infection or wound is deteriorating you may need a surgical operation.
If an infection is very severe, an amputation may be needed to save healthy parts of the foot.