Frequently Asked Questions

Foot ulcers are wounds or open sores on a patient’s feet or toes. They are unfortunately common in patients suffering from diabetes—and if not treated quickly, they can lead to systemic infection or amputation of the limb. Since diabetic foot ulcers can progress rapidly, patients must practice proper foot care and prevention methods and see a wound care podiatrist as soon as they notice any symptoms.

Why Are Ulcers a Problem for Patients With Diabetes?

Patients with diabetes are not only at increased risk of developing foot ulcers, but they are less likely to heal naturally once a wound has developed. For this reason, many diabetic ulcers become seriously infected before treatment begins, and one in every five infected ulcers results in amputation.

Diabetes is a direct cause of foot ulcers due to:

• Neuropathy. Many people who develop foot ulcers have lost the ability to feel pain or sensations in their feet (diabetic neuropathy). In many cases, patients with neuropathy only realize they have an ulcer when they notice blood or drainage on their socks.
• Impaired circulation. Diabetes narrows the blood vessels in the extremities, making it harder for nutrients to reach the feet. A lack of blood flow to the feet prevents the body from healing any ulcers.
• Dry feet. Diabetes can decrease the body’s oil and sweat production, drying the skin and making it more likely to crack.
• Systemic disease. Patients with vascular disease, kidney problems, or heart disease are at increased risk of skin breakage and slow healing. Patients who use insulin are also more likely to develop a foot ulcer.
• Foot deformities. Ulcers may develop due to prolonged pressure on the same part of the foot (such as the heels or pads of the feet) or friction from shoes rubbing against bones and toes.
• Lifestyle habits. Anyone with diabetes can suffer a foot ulcer, but patients who are overweight or use alcohol and tobacco are at higher risk.

Classifications of Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are generally separated into four stages:

• Stage 1. You have red, irritated, or inflamed areas on your feet. This is common where the skin is thinnest, such as on the ankle bone or toe joint.
• Stage 2. You can see blisters or cracks in the skin. The skin around the wound may begin to peel or flake away.
• Stage 3. The skin is broken, and blood or pus may be draining from the wound. At this point, the layers of skin around the area will start to thin.
• Stage 4. In the final stage of a foot ulcer, the wound has affected the skin, muscles, tendons, and bone tissue. You may have dead tissue (gangrene) or bone infection (osteomyelitis) that requires amputation.

How Are Diabetic Ulcers Treated?

Even a small cut can allow harmful bacteria to enter the body, making tiny puncture wounds or burrowing toenails deadly for a patient. It would help if you got treatment as soon as you notice any redness, swelling, or potential for a break in the skin.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the wound and how far it has progressed, but common interventions include:

• Cleaning the wound thoroughly
• Draining the site if there is a noticeable infection
• Safely removing dead skin or tissue from the area
• Taking the pressure off the area (off-loading)
• Applying sterile dressings (and any necessary topical medications)
• Laser therapy to promote wound healing and increase circulation
• Prescribing antibiotics to treat system-wide infection

In extreme cases, your podiatrist might recommend surgery to remove necrotic tissue and perform skin grafting to save the limb. If the limb cannot be saved, you may need amputation to save your life.

In Our Podiatry Office, Good Wound Care Includes Prevention

Most diabetic foot wounds are preventable, and our wound care procedures always include prevention methods to improve the life and health of the patient. Once the injury is treated, we advise you on how to:

• Change your dressings and help the healing process
• Perform daily foot inspections (particularly on the bottoms of the feet)
• Manage blood glucose and other health problems
• Choose well-fitting diabetic shoes and socks

If you’re concerned about a wound on your foot, we can help. Simply request an appointment online or speak with our team in either Twin Falls or Burley by calling (208) 731-6321.

Related Links: Elements of a Diabetic Foot Care Plan Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments for Foot Conditions How Can I Exercise With Arthritis?

Nerve damage can cause pain, itching, or burning in the feet for patients with diabetes. Patients are often willing to try anything to be free of the condition and its symptoms, but some home remedies are better than others. Our podiatry office has extensive experience in diabetic foot care, allowing us to be your trusted source for effective nerve pain treatment.

Home Treatments to Ease Neuropathy Symptoms

No home remedy can take the place of professional medical care, especially if neuropathy has allowed a diabetic wound to set in. However, there are many different things patients can do—or not do—that greatly improve their quality of life.

Patients often report lessened symptoms when they:

• Practice good foot care. Impaired sensation in the skin increases the likelihood of infections, so diabetic feet need constant monitoring whether or not they are causing pain. Wear comfortable shoes, inspect your feet each day for injuries and pressure points, and give yourself a foot massage to encourage healthy blood flow.
• Manage blood sugar levels. Maintaining a normal blood sugar level is the most effective way to improve all complications of diabetes, including nerve pain. Best practices include eating a healthy diet and abstaining from alcoholic beverages.
• Take a bath. Warm water temporarily increases blood circulation, relieving painful sensations throughout the body. It can also relax the muscles and ease the physical stress of chronic pain. Numb feet may burn if the water is too hot, so always test the water temperature with your arm before stepping in.
• Have good sleep habits. Nerve pain at night can disrupt the length and quality of sleep, making it more challenging to cope with daily symptoms. If your neuropathy worsens at night, try limiting caffeine intake past 2 p.m., only get into bed when it's time to sleep, and wear an eye mask to block light.
• Use topical pain relief. There are many different pain creams and ointments aimed at treating nerve pain. One of the most common is lidocaine, an anesthetic available in prescription and over-the-counter products. Some patients use capsaicin cream made from hot chili peppers to create a warming sensation in their feet. These solutions are temporary but can give a patient time to relax or fall asleep.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise is highly beneficial for patients with diabetes because it improves both the symptoms and the root cause of the discomfort. Firstly, it releases natural pain-blockers called endorphins, easing symptoms while exercise continues. It also promotes blood flow, improving circulation in the legs and feet and expanding narrowed blood vessels in the feet. Before starting a new regimen, patients should discuss low-impact exercise options (such as walking and yoga) with their doctors.
• Practice mindfulness. Meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and other alternative therapies may benefit patients suffering from chronic pain. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or guided imagery can also help patients cope with the mental and emotional strain of living with neuropathy.
• Don't smoke. Smoking constricts your blood vessels, making circulation worse and intensifying neuropathy symptoms. If you smoke, start working on ways to quit.

When Should I See a Podiatrist About Neuropathy?

Prevention is better than a cure, but prevention isn't always 100% effective. Modern medicine has made significant improvements in clinical treatment for nerve pain in the feet and legs. Medications, conservative solutions, and other therapies can prevent nerve pain from getting worse and, in some cases, reverse the effects of nerve damage.

The most common reasons diabetes patients visit us is because natural remedies aren't helping their nerve pain or because they've suffered a wound or injury on their foot. These are serious complaints, and early treatment is the best option for both. If a diabetic foot condition is preventing you from doing the things you love, we can help. Simply request an appointment online or speak with our team in either Twin Falls or Burley by calling (208) 731-6321.

Related Links: Elements of a Diabetic Foot Care Plan Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments For Foot Conditions How Can I Exercise With Arthritis?