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Signs of a Diabetic Foot Wound
When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing diabetic foot wounds. High glucose levels typically cause numbness and poor blood circulation, which affects the healing of existing wounds. Without urgent care and proper treatment, these may lead to an infection or more severe complications requiring amputation.
Because of this, it’s crucial to learn about some signs you have a diabetic foot wound. Here are some of them:
Skin Discoloration
Any changes in the skin color around your legs and feet should always be a cause of concern. Depending on your condition, you may notice discoloration that appears as dark red, white, blue, gray, or purple. For severe cases, diabetic feet may develop a black or brown tissue around the wound called eschar, which is typically caused by a lack of healthy blood flow.
Swelling and Redness
Although signs of inflammation are normal when you have a wound, this should only last for no more than a week. If you notice unusual swelling and redness of your wounded feet accompanied by a warm sensation or even pain, visit your foot doctor.
Cuts, Sores, and Blisters That Won’t Heal
If you have a cut, sore, or blister on your foot that is taking ages to heal, you likely have a diabetic wound. This compromised healing process is the result of a common complication of diabetes which affects nerve function called diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic wounds that don’t heal properly are more prone to infections. So, as soon as you spot a slow-healing foot wound, talk to a podiatrist right away to have it treated and prevent your condition from worsening.
Drainage in Your Socks or Shoes
Some people with diabetes may suffer from a lack of feeling in their feet. So, they may only notice a wound once they find blood, pus, or drainage when they remove their socks or shoes. While this typically happens when there’s an infection, consulting a specialist for a proper diagnosis will help determine your condition.
Talk to a Reliable Foot Doctor
Learning about these signs and symptoms will help you find out if you have a diabetic foot wound. For a complete foot check-up or diabetic foot treatment, contact our experts at Thomas Podiatry & Associates in Salisbury, MD today!