What are the symptoms of diabetic foot infection?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Symptoms of diabetic foot infections can include localized gradual wound ulceration, suppuration, and odor. In severe cases, patients may observe necrosis of the foot with a dark color. Some patients may experience systemic effects, including fever. Therefore, the progression of diabetic foot can be rapid. It is recommended that diabetic patients seek medical attention promptly when they notice any wound ulceration to prevent worsening of the infection.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Diabetic foot VSD (Vacuum Sealing Drainage) nursing key points

If you have diabetic foot, it is necessary to check the condition of your feet every day. When washing your feet daily, observe the color and shape of the feet, whether there is any skin damage, and whether there are changes in local color. Secondly, more professionally, you can feel the pulsation of the dorsal artery of the foot to see if it is normal. Third, insist on washing your feet daily to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Be careful that the water temperature for soaking should not be too high, preferably not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and do not soak for more than 30 minutes. Additionally, trimming nails is very important. Do not tear them with your hands to avoid damaging the skin of your feet; use scissors to cut long nails. Another important aspect is shoe wearing. It is best to wear loose-fitting shoes to avoid rubbing against the feet and breaking the skin.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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What to eat for diabetic foot?

Typically, patients with diabetic foot have had diabetes for a long period, and often have diabetic nephropathy, or serious hypoproteinemia and malnutrition. In such cases, patients with diabetic foot need to supplement with protein, specifically high-quality protein, and must avoid low-quality protein. What constitutes low-quality protein? This includes soy products and plant proteins. High-quality protein, on the other hand, includes sources like milk, eggs, poultry, and meat. However, if renal insufficiency is present and creatinine levels have increased, the amount of protein must be limited. Protein intake should be calculated based on body weight and creatinine levels, using different coefficients to determine the total daily protein allowance. It is crucial to make these protein adjustments within the framework of a diabetic diet.

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Written by Chen Kai
Endocrinology
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How to treat diabetic foot pain

Diabetic foot is a chronic complication of diabetes, characterized by arteriosclerosis, narrowing, and occlusion of the lower limb vessels, and peripheral neuropathy caused by multiple factors following diabetes. Treatment mainly involves improving circulation and nourishing nerves, including performing lower limb arterial ultrasound to assess the extent of vascular occlusion. When necessary, stenting or vascular recanalization can be performed, and treatments including stem cell therapy are also viable options. For pain, severe pain can generally be managed by vasodilation and symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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How to treat diabetic foot early

First of all, in the early stages of diabetes, it is necessary to control blood sugar to prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot. If diabetic foot has already appeared in the early stages of diabetes, then it is important to prevent the further development of diabetic foot into late-stage ulceration and gangrene. Firstly, proper care should be taken to avoid damage to the skin. Secondly, it is crucial to control blood sugar, complete examination of lower limb vascular ultrasonography or angiography, ascertain the extent of lower limb vascular lesions, and improve blood circulation. If there is an occlusion of the blood vessels in the lower limbs, surgical methods should be used as soon as possible to open the vessels and maintain blood supply, to prevent further deterioration.

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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.