Diabetic Foot Ulcers: How to Spot, Prevent, and Treat Them
Diabetic foot ulcers start small and can get serious fast. High blood sugar damages nerves (so you may not feel pain) and narrows blood vessels (so wounds heal poorly). That combo means a tiny blister or cut can turn into an ulcer that gets infected. The good news: simple daily habits and quick action cut the risk a lot.
Quick daily checks and home care
Check your feet every day. Look under the toes, along the soles, and around the heels. Use a mirror or ask someone to help if you can’t see the bottom of your foot. Watch for cuts, blisters, red or dark spots, swelling, drainage, or areas that don’t feel right.
Clean any minor scrape with mild soap and water, rinse, pat dry, and cover with a sterile dressing. Don’t soak your feet—soaking can make the skin soft and easy to break. Avoid cutting calluses yourself; a podiatrist can trim them safely. Keep skin moisturized but not between toes to stop fungus.
Shoes matter. Wear well-fitting shoes with a wide toe box and good support. Don’t walk barefoot, even at home. Consider diabetic socks and insoles that reduce pressure. If you have a hard-to-heal sore on the sole, ask about offloading devices—special boots or casts that take pressure off the wound and speed healing.
When to see a doctor and medical treatments
See a healthcare provider right away if you notice spreading redness, pus, bad smell, fever, deep tissue exposure, or a sore that won’t start to heal in about a week. Don’t wait if you have numbness and notice a wound—lack of pain doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Doctors will check blood flow and nerve function, clean the wound (debridement), and may take a swab or tissue sample to identify infection. If bacteria are present, they may prescribe antibiotics. Poor blood flow might need vascular tests and procedures to restore circulation. Advanced care can include specialized dressings, negative-pressure wound therapy, or surgery if there’s deep infection or bone involvement.
Keep blood sugar under control—this is one of the single best steps you can take to help wounds heal and prevent new ones. Stopping smoking helps circulation, too. Regular visits with a podiatrist or a diabetes care team lower the chance of serious problems.
Simple routine checks, sensible footwear, and prompt medical attention for new sores work together to prevent most ulcers from getting worse. If you’re unsure about a spot on your foot, call your doctor—that call can save you time, pain, and a lot of trouble down the road.
Sitagliptin Phosphate and the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
As a blogger, I recently came across an interesting topic related to the management of diabetic foot ulcers - Sitagliptin Phosphate. This medication, typically used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, has shown promising results in healing diabetic foot ulcers. Studies have revealed that Sitagliptin Phosphate not only improves glycemic control but also reduces inflammation, which aids in the healing process of these ulcers. The dual benefits of this drug make it a valuable addition to the current treatment options available for diabetic foot ulcers. I'm excited to see how this medication will continue to improve the lives of those suffering from this debilitating condition.
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