Someone in the world loses a lower limb every 30 seconds due to diabetes, according to Webmd.com. This shows how important it is to take care of diabetic sores. Diabetes leg sores and foot sores are the mostcommon types of sores found in diabetes. This is because conditions occur in which blood flow to the legs and feet, often causing numbness, tingling and pain.
In diabetes even minor sores should not be ignored. For example, person can have a small scratch which goes unnoticed, and leads to a serious infection. If this small sore turns into an ulcer, and not properly treated, amputation of the limb will likely follow. The risk of amputation for diabetes is 10 times greater for diabetics than for those who are not affected with the disease.
Diabetic Leg Sores
Diabetic sores on legs are most likely venous stasis ulcers. These diabetic sores are common among people who have a history of leg swelling, varicose veins, or blood clots in the veins of the legs. Normally, they are red in color and may be covered with yellow fibrous tissue. Normally, they are irregularly shaped and the area around them is swollen and discolored.
Poor circulation, high blood pressure, and smoking heighten the risk of these types of diabetic sores. If a diabetic person treats their wounds well and maintains a healthy lifestyle many of these types of problems can be avoided. Treatment of leg ulcers usually involves antibiotics, anti-clotting medications, compression garments, and topical wound care therapies. Pictures of diabetic sores that occur on the legs can be found on the following websites:
- DermNetnz.org
- MedicineNet.com
- Nativeremedies.com
Diabetes Foot Sores
Diabetic sores on feet occur more frequently than any other sores found in diabetes. These diabetic sores are usually caused by nerve damage in the feet. Symptoms of this include numbness, burning, and pain. They can appear pink, red, brown, or black. The surrounding skin is often calloused. These diabetic sores are usually found at the bottom of the feet, but they can appear anywhere on the foot.
Arterial ulcers are another type of diabetic foot sores that may manifest. These foot ulcers are generally caused by poor circulation. They are typically very painful, especially at night, so much so that patients usually hang their foot off the side of the bed instinctively.
Treatment of diabetic sores usually begins far before a sore ever manifests. From the time first diagnosed, most diabetes patients are told how to care for their feet by checking them on a daily basis and keeping them clean and dry. Any blister, cuts, calluses, corns, and the like should be treated with an antibiotic ointment and bandaged at the very least. Most doctors would prefer you to visit their office, even for treatment of small sores. Diabetic sores pictures pertaining to the feet can be found at:
- MedicineNet.com
- Emedicinehealth.com
- Webmd.com
Related articles: Diabetic Feet Pain | Diabetic Chronic | Pathophysiology of Diabetes | Diabetic Pathophysiology | Diabetes and Mood Swings | Diabetic Blindness | Diabetes and Fever | Diabetic Symptom | Cramps and Diabetes | Diabetes Loss of Hearing | Diabetes and Breathing |
