If you’re a diabetic, then you are more prone to fungal foot infections than others. Diabetes, especially uncontrollable diabetes, and persistent hyperglycemia can increase the risk of foot infections. Learn what is the link between diabetes and fungal foot infections and how they can be treated in this article. Visit the best Endocrinology Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org

The link between diabetes and fungal foot infections

Diabetes and fungal foot infections are more closely linked than you think. Diabetic people are more at risk of peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage, and weak immune systems that affect their feet. This risk increases when your diabetes is not controllable over a long time, or you have hyperglycemia, smoke, and have a family history. Around 50% of peripheral neuropathy is asymptomatic which means they don’t feel symptoms like numbness, tingling, burning, foot weakness, and loss of feeling.

Due to this, when your foot encounters pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and fungi), it can easily cause foot infections and people with diabetes have weak immune systems that cannot fight off these infections in the body. In a 2018 study, data from over 300,000 people (about half the population of Wyoming) showed that a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at higher risk of infection like a yeast infection than a person without the condition. Diabetic people’s symptoms get worse more quickly than in other people. Also, infections are harder to treat. If an infection doesn’t heal, you are more prone to complications.

People with loss of feeling in their feet may not know if they develop a foot injury when their shoes don’t fit properly, or if a foreign object is in their shoe. Constant friction can increase the risk of skin tears, sores, and foot ulcers which lead to infection. People are more prone to hammertoes if they have diabetes, which increases the risk of foot ulcers, especially if you are not wearing properly fitted shoes.

Fungal infections mostly occur on the feet between the toes and around the nail beds. People with diabetes are more prone to it due to decreased immunity and disruptions in sweat glands caused by autonomic neuropathy.

Treatment options

Treatment of foot infections and diabetes is done separately. However, managing diabetes can improve your foot infection symptoms. Usually, foot infection treatment depends on the type of infection, previous history of infections, and severity of the infections. Generally, treatment options include:

• Antibiotics (oral and topical)
• Wound cleansing and debridement
• Surgical drainage
• Total contact casts (TCC)
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Revascularization (a procedure that is used to restore blood flow to a blocked artery)

Treatment of fungal infections between the toes and around the nail bed may include topical creams or oral antifungal medication.

Oral topical creams are prescribed in the initial stages of an infection. You should apply them directly to the affected area for up to 7 days. You can also find the creams over the counter, but a person should speak with a doctor before using them because regular use can make your infection resistant to topical antibiotics.

If cream or suppository doesn’t work, then the doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication such as Fluconazole, Lamisil, etc. One dose is generally enough to cure the infection.

You can also manage your diabetes by managing your blood sugar levels with medications and lifestyle changes. This lowers your risk of developing neuropathy, which also lowers the risk of foot infection. You can consult with your doctor to learn what lifestyle changes you should follow to manage your blood sugar levels and prevent neuropathy.

Good glycemic control may help to heal infections because proper nutrition is required for treating diabetes and foot infections. So, you should consult with a nutritionist to get diet plans that cover all the necessary nutrients in your diet to improve your wound healing.

People with diabetes are more prone to experience foot infections especially if their blood sugars are high for a long period, or if they smoke or have other health issues. However, with good lifestyle habits and proper management of diabetes, you can prevent or treat foot infections easily. The severity and type of infection can determine your treatment options. If you notice any sign of a foot problem, you should immediately seek help from a doctor to get a proper evaluation.

If you have diabetes or experience something wrong with your feet, come visit our diabetologists to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Need help with medical issues along with diabetes, then visit our diabetologists in Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Call us on 13473845690 to get answers to your queries. We have the best endocrinologists that provide the best treatments, pay us a visit at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or log on to www.doralhw.org. If you want to be sure about whether the symptoms, you’re experiencing are due to diabetes or not, book your appointment with us.