Foot ulcers are sores that grow from a breakdown of skin on the foot, mostly from an injury, pressure and friction. Certain situations like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy affect the skin’s ability to heal and increase the risk of foot ulcers. It’s better to get medical treatment early, before ulcers get worse if not it can lead to infections and other complications.
Foot ulcers are deep red, yellow, black, purple or discolored sores which can develop anywhere on the foot. The ulcers affect the deeper layers of skin, which sometimes spread to the muscle, tendon or bone.
Since they are very tender and painful, foot ulcers develop in individuals who have diminished sensation in their feet. However, ulcers are not painful but it gets worse overtime. Some individuals have foot ulcers for weeks or months but they don’t know if they have because they do not sense the pain.
Through a physical examination, healthcare provider can diagnose foot ulcers. If they suspect a sign of infection, a sample of cells may be removed to perform a skin biopsy or wound culture to check for bacteria or viruses.
Untreated foot ulcers will lead to infection and progressive destruction of skin and underlying tissues. A small wound easily progresses to a foot ulcer due to poor blood supply, decreased sensation (peripheral neuropathy), and an impaired ability to heal, especially due to inflammation from high blood sugar.
If foot ulcers are severe and spread to muscle and bone, and if other treatments cannot effectively treat the wound, then they may have to amputate a part or the whole foot. Studies indicate that 84% of nontraumatic lower limb amputations result from foot ulcers which spreads fast but doesn’t heal.
To avoid foot ulcers from forming, preventative measures should be taken, such as wearing properly fitting, supportive footwear that does not compress the foot or rub and cause irritation, will help keep the surface of the skin without getting damaged. It’s important to examine daily your feet for sores, cuts, or skin breakdown so that you will realize if there is a foot ulcer developing. If the wound is detected early and treated at that moment, then you can prevent foot ulcers from forming and dangerous complications from resulting.
After a week if you realize that your foot ulcer is not healing, contact your healthcare provider to begin treatment.
