Having diabetic feet is very hard, you may find yourself losing your sense of feeling when you have diabetic feet. This is because of the poor blood flow in your body. This is one of the symptoms or early signs of having a diabetic foot. It would be hard for you to manage and notice sores if you won’t look at your feet daily, wounds and cuts that are left unnoticed can cause more damage. Having a diabetic foot can lead to diabetic ulcers that is why going to your doctor to get your feet checked is very important.
A diabetic foot ulcer is open sores or lesions that will not heal easily, it would be hard to return your feet to normal over a long period of time. Foot ulcers can start from minor scrapes
A foot ulcer is a deep sore or a skin tear. They have a chance of becoming infected. Foot ulcers can be caused by minor scratches, cuts that take a long time to heal, or rubbing from ill-fitting shoes. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage induced by elevated blood sugar levels for an extended period of time. Diabetic neuropathy can affect any region of the body, although the legs and feet are the most usually affected.
To prevent further damage to your feet here are some early signs of a diabetic foot that you should look out for:
- Acanthosis nigricans, or darkened skin on the affected area, is a skin disorder that causes darkening and thickening of the skin. On the sides of the neck, armpits, and groin, tan or brown skin appears frequently, occasionally slightly elevated.
- Reduced ability to detect heat or cold – Nerves in your extremities and other regions of your body are damaged by chronically high blood sugar levels. These injured nerves are unable to communicate efficiently between the brain and the rest of the body. It’s possible that you won’t feel heat, cold, or discomfort in your feet, legs, or hands as a result of this.
- Numbness – you may experience numbness in your feet, as well as burning or pins-and-needles sensations. The nerves that send signals from your hands and feet are damaged as a result of this. Numbness or tingling in the fingers, toes, hands, and feet can be a symptom of diabetic neuropathy. A scorching, intense, or painful ache is another sign (diabetic nerve pain)
- High blood sugar levels are the main cause of diabetes-related foot pain. High blood sugar levels harm both nerve endings and blood vessels throughout the body over time. Nerve discomfort and poor circulation result from this combo.
- Tingling commonly starts in the toes and progresses to the head. Tingling and numbness in the toes or fingers are the first symptoms you may notice. This may imitate the sensation of “pins and needles” experienced when a sleeping foot awakens.
If diabetic neuropathy leads to diabetic foot ulcers, symptoms to watch out for include:
- Cuts, blisters, calluses, or sores on the skin or toenails – People with diabetes are more susceptible than those without diabetes to develop a fungal illness called onychomycosis. The toenails are commonly affected by this infection. The nails will become yellowed and brittle.
- Fluid or pus discharge – You might not realize you have an ulcer until you detect drainage on your sock. Drainage is a yellow, brown, or red-colored fluid. Pus or blood may be present in the fluid.
- There’s a foul odor – Although smelly feet are not a sign of diabetes, diabetics must take extra precautions when it comes to their feet. Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease, and your feet could be affected without you even realizing it, resulting in a bad odor
- Pain – same with early signs of having a diabetic foot you will feel pain and this is caused by high blood sugar levels.
- Diabetic nerve damage can cause changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot’s foot, which is unusual. The symptoms of Charcot’s foot include redness, warmth, and swelling. Bones in your feet and toes can shift or shatter over time, giving your feet an odd shape.
- Skin discolouration – Diabetic dermopathy is a skin disorder caused by changes in blood vessels as a result of diabetes. Dermopathy manifests up as scaly, light brown or red areas on the front of the legs.
- Swelling – if you press your finger into it, it leaves an indentation; if it appears abruptly, lasts more than a few days, affects only one foot, or is accompanied by discomfort or skin discoloration.
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