Diabetic Foot Ulcers - A Complete Walkthrough

Diabetic foot ulcers are formed when the skin tissue in the foot area breaks down and exposes the layers beneath it. When diabetes is not managed properly with diet, exercise, and insulin based treatments, it can cause various complications. One such complication is the Foot Ulcer.

Foot ulcers usually develop under the big toes and the balls of the feet and can sometimes go deep enough to expose the bone. They are extremely painful and in severe cases might lead to amputation.

Foot care and diabetes recommended diet can help prevent diabetic foot ulcers.

There can be multiple causes due to which Diabetes Foot Ulcers appear. It is important to analyse the real cause and treat the wound accordingly.

Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Ulcers:

First Signs:

  • Drainage from foot
  • Unusual swelling
  • Redness and irritation
  • A peculiar odor

Visible signs:

  • Appearance of black tissue around the ulcer (unhealthy blood flow)
  • Appearance of Gangrene (tissue death)
Signs of diabetic foot ulcers are sometimes not very obvious. One may never know about it until it gets infected. If your diabetes is not being managed properly, it is recommended to meet the doctor for regular checkups.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers - A Complete Walkthrough

Causes of Diabetic foot ulcers:

  • High blood sugar level
  • Poor blood circulation
  • Nerve damage
  • Wounds or injuries on feet

High blood sugar / high glucose levels in blood, slow down the healing process of the body. This can lead to foot ulcers. Blood sugar management is extremely important particularly for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

When blood does not reach the feet efficiently, the healing process gets compromised. The tissues in the area with lees blood flow start to numb.

Damaged nerves give a tingly sensation in feet and are usually very painful. In the long run, nerve damage reduces sensitivity to foot pain. This sometimes results into painless wounds which can lead to ulcers.

Stages of Diabetic foot ulcers:

  • No open lesions / Healed lesions
  • Superficial ulcer (not penetrating into deeper layers)
  • Deep ulcer (until the tendon, bone or joint)
  • Deep ulcers with infected tissues
  • Partial Gangrene 
  • Complete Gangrene
Diabetic Foot Ulcers - A Complete Walkthrough

Treatment of Diabetic Foot ulcer:

It is important that the doctor analyses the cause and stage of the foot ulcer before proceeding with the treatment. Doctors might recommend some of the methods mentioned below.

  • Use of protecting gear specially designed for people with foot ulcers. Such as : Shoes, compression wraps, foot braces or foot inserts.
  • Foot bath and enzymes treatments
  • Active wound dressings that can help heal the wounds and inhibit bacterial growth
  • Anti-biotics or other medication
  • Surgical intervention (in severe cases)
Diabetic Foot Ulcers - A Complete Walkthrough

Maxiocel Wound care dressing has been extremely efficient in treating Diabetic foot ulcers.

Maxiocel is a 100% Chitosan wound dressing and has properties like Haemostats (bleeding control), exudate management, Pain reduction and stimulation of wound healing.

More information about Wound Dressings :

Different kinds of wound dressings are available in the market. It is important to consult your doctor and do proper research before choosing which wound dressing to use.