Diabetes can put people at risk of diabetes foot ulcers. Around 15% of diabetic people develop a foot ulcer, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. It can cause many signs and increase the risk of infections as well. Learn about the signs of infection in diabetic foot ulcers and treatment options in this article. At Doral Health & Wellness, we have all the answers you need.

What are the signs of infection in diabetic foot ulcers?

The infection risk of diabetic foot ulcers gets higher if you don’t manage your diabetes properly and don’t get proper treatment to cure your foot problems. Infections can easily cause many symptoms in diabetic foot ulcers causing:

1. Unusual swelling and redness: You can also notice this sign even in the early stages of a foot ulcer, you may feel irritation and swelling in the area around the wound. There may also be a warm sensation close to the affected area, which may occur due to peripheral neuropathy.
2. Drainage on your sock or in your shoes: You may see discharge coming out from your wound which puts stains on your shoes and socks. All types of open wounds can produce some type of drainage that may contain a combination of pus, blood, and other fluids, which is also a sign of infection but not always. If you notice drainage from a wound on your foot, then you should contact your doctor immediately. A pungent odor may accompany this discharge.
3. Discoloration: This is one of the most common signs of diabetes foot ulcers that your wound area color turns black or brown. This is called eschar and often happens due to a lack of blood flow to the feet around the wound. Wounds that progress through this stage can lead to severe problems. Broken skin on the wound is an easy-access route for bacteria or viruses to enter the body and cause a skin infection such as cellulitis or life-threatening sepsis.
4. Blisters, corn, and calluses: These are quite common in diabetic people and are also linked with the development of diabetic foot wounds if they don’t heal after a significant period.
5. Body fever and chills: Like most infections, foot ulcers may also cause fever and chills, which is a sign that your body’s defense system is trying to fight the infection. Fever makes it harder for bacteria to survive and activates your immune system. If you experience severe fever, it means infection is widespread in the body.
6. Persistent pain when walking: You may experience constant pain in your legs when walking or foot pain whenever you elevate your legs for walking.
7. Athlete’s foot: This is caused by a fungal infection that makes your wound dry and causes cracked skin. You need treatment right away, otherwise, it can increase the risk of severe complications such as foot ulcers.

If you notice any of these signs, you should seek help from a podiatrist or diabetologist to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment

The primary goal of treating diabetic foot ulcers is to make sure the wound starts healing as soon as possible to lower the risk of infection. Your doctor may follow several steps to treat your diabetic foot ulcer, including:

• Prevention of infection
• Take the pressure off the area (called off-loading).
• Remove dead skin and tissue (called debridement).
• Apply medications or dressings to the ulcer.
• Managing blood glucose and other health problems.

Not all ulcers get infected, but it’s necessary to get diagnosed for an infection, a treatment program of antibiotics, wound care, and hospitalization in case an infection is found.

Prevention of infection

To prevent infection, doctors ensure your blood sugar levels are under control. They clean your wounds and bandage them. They give instructions: get your wound cleaned daily by using a wound dressing or bandage; and don’t walk barefoot, always wear slippers, sandals, or shoes to walk.

Off-loading

This technique ensures optimal healing at the bottom of the foot by using special footgear, braces, specialized castings, a wheelchair, or crutches. These devices can reduce the pressure and irritation to the ulcer area and speed up your healing process. It also helps to prevent ulcers and wounds from getting moisture.

Apply medication and dressings

For proper wound management, the doctor uses a dressing with topical medications. These can include things like normal saline to advanced products such as growth factors, ulcer dressing, and skin substitutes that are highly effective in healing foot ulcers.

Manage blood sugar

Your blood sugar level is monitored closely and managed properly during the treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer. Your doctor may work with an endocrinologist to enhance healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Surgical options

While the majority of noninfected foot ulcers are treated without surgery, however, when this fails surgical management may become necessary. Surgical options are used to remove the pressure from the affected area including shaving or excision of bone and correction of various deformities, such as hammertoes, bunion, or bony “bumps.” If you get a severe infection, then amputation is necessary.

Complications

Diabetes foot ulcers can increase the risk of complications such as gangrene, and Charcot foot.

8. Gangrene: If your foot infection is not treated on time, it can cause gangrene. It is a medical emergency as it stops the blood flow to a specific part of your body and tissue starts to die there. Without treatment, it can be fatal. Its symptoms may include swelling, blisters, sudden and severe pain, thin shiny skin, and skin discoloration. Depending on the type of gangrene, the color of skin discoloration can be blue, red, purple, black, or bronze.
9. Charcot foot: This is a rare complication of diabetes-related neuropathy. If not treated on time, it can make the joints of your foot collapse and permanently affect your ability to use your foot. If you have an infection in your foot, it can worsen or spread to the rest of your body. Its early signs are foot pain, discoloration, or redness, swelling, and a feeling of heat or warmth.

Diabetes foot ulcers are common in people with diabetes. Most people can notice early signs of diabetes foot ulcers and take treatment to cure the wound. However, if your wound is not treated early, you are at risk of infection which can lead to severe complications. So, notice the signs on time and take treatment.

If you need help with your diabetic foot, visit our diabetologist for professional medical treatment. Call us on +13473845690 and get answers for all your queries. Log on to  www.doralhw.org or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 to book an appointment with our endocrinologist to get the best treatment. We have the best endocrinologists who treat these kinds of diseases and helpful staff to aid you during your treatment.