How to deal with diabetic foot ulcers.

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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For diabetic foot ulcers, the first step is to assess the severity of the foot wound. Treatment definitely requires timely consultation with an endocrinology specialist. The first step is to control blood sugar levels to meet targets; second, control blood pressure and blood lipids; third, administer systemic anti-infection treatment, choosing a sensitive antibiotic based on the wound secretion cultures; fourth, local wound management involves debridement and dressing changes depending on the condition of the wound; fifth, an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels can be conducted to check for arterial sclerosis or occlusion, subsequently using medication to improve circulation.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
40sec home-news-image

How to deal with diabetic foot ulcers.

For diabetic foot ulcers, the first step is to assess the severity of the foot wound. Treatment definitely requires timely consultation with an endocrinology specialist. The first step is to control blood sugar levels to meet targets; second, control blood pressure and blood lipids; third, administer systemic anti-infection treatment, choosing a sensitive antibiotic based on the wound secretion cultures; fourth, local wound management involves debridement and dressing changes depending on the condition of the wound; fifth, an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels can be conducted to check for arterial sclerosis or occlusion, subsequently using medication to improve circulation.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Early symptoms of diabetic foot

The initial symptoms of diabetic foot mainly manifest in several aspects. The first symptom is abnormal sensations in the feet, including numbness, pain, a feeling of foreign objects, or as if stepping on cotton. The second situation involves pain in the feet, intermittent claudication, and even pain at rest. If these symptoms occur, it is advised to promptly visit an endocrinology specialist. Treatments may include medications for nourishing the nerves and improving circulation in the lower limbs. Without timely treatment, it's easy for wounds on the feet to ulcerate, leading to infection and severe adverse consequences. It is recommended to treat diabetic foot early to prevent the worsening of the condition and even the risk of amputation.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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Early signs of diabetic foot disease

Some early signs of diabetic foot disease include a decrease in skin temperature of both feet, such as constantly feeling coldness in the feet, which indicates insufficient blood supply. Another symptom is peripheral neuropathy, which manifests as numbness or burning in both feet, and unusual sensations like stepping on cotton or feeling like ants are crawling. These are also early signs of diabetic foot disease. Once there is a break in the skin surface, it is crucial to be vigilant as it might be diabetic foot disease. Diabetic foot disease is a very serious condition and one must take early preventive measures. At the slightest sign of any skin break, it is essential to seek proper treatment at a standard hospital.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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Where does diabetic foot hurt?

Diabetic foot refers to those with a history of diabetes who subsequently develop skin ulceration and pus formation on the feet, which can progress to localized gangrene or gangrene of the entire foot. This condition is then termed as diabetic foot. It is usually due to three factors: The first is vascular factors, often accompanied by arterial narrowing in both lower limbs, leading to ischemia and hypoxia. The second is neurological factors, typically accompanied by peripheral neuropathy, causing numbness in both feet and insensitivity to pain, thus often pain is not felt. The third factor involves the presence of an infection. These three factors together make it easy for diabetic foot to develop. Therefore, most patients with diabetic foot do not feel pain. However, if the neuropathy is relatively mild or is a painful neuropathy, these patients may feel pain in their feet or at the site of skin ulceration.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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How to relieve pain in diabetic foot?

If diabetic foot is combined with pain, it often depends on the severity of the diabetic foot. It has a Wagner grading system. If there is an obvious wound that extends to the bone, anti-infection treatment is very important, and surgical assessment is necessary to determine if the foot can be saved. If the wound is superficial and only involves the epidermis, local anti-infection and circulation improvement are fundamental. In such cases, COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal analgesic drugs may be used. If the pain is caused by peripheral neuropathy, the first step is to nourish the nerves, for example with mecobalamin, and treat the neuropathy with drugs like epalrestat, along with drugs like cilostazol that improve microcirculation. Effective treatments targeted at this type of neuropathic pain include drugs like pregabalin and etoricoxib, designed for bone pain, and gabapentin-related medications can also be used. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)