Diabetic foot ulcers are wounds, sores, or lacerations in the feet of diabetic patients. It is typically an opening on the beneath of the foot of a patient. Almost 6% of diabetic foot ulcer patients require hospitalization for their foot ulcer treatment because of infection or any other ulcer-related complications.

Diabetes is the main cause of many foot amputations taking place in the US. Amputation may be required in nearly 25% of diabetic patients who may develop a certain foot wound. Furthermore, 85% of diabetes-related amputations are preceded by foot ulceration.

As a result, given the high rate of amputation, a qualified podiatrist or ulcer doctor Orange County can assist patients in avoiding foot ulcers. You can take an appointment with Dr. Sima Soltani of the Podiatry Office available in Irvine, who has got 20+ years of experience in Podiatry and is considered as the best Podiatrist available in Orange County, in California State, USA.

Let us answer a few frequently asked questions related to diabetic foot ulcers in this post.

Who may get such diabetic foot ulcers?

Anyone with diabetes has more chance of developing a foot ulcer. Ulcers are more common in Native Americans, Hispanics, African Americans, and older men. Insulin users, as well as people with a diabetic wound, diabetes-related kidney, heart, and eye illness, are more prone to develop such a foot ulcer.

Obesity, as well as the use of alcohol and tobacco, contribute to the development of such foot ulcers.

What is the reason for treating any diabetic foot ulcers?

Diabetes, poor blood circulation, foot trauma, numbness present in the foot, or foot abnormalities are all factors that contribute to foot ulcers. Furthermore, neuropathy is a disorder that develops in those who have had diabetes for a long time.

Nerve damage and excessive blood sugar create the condition, which results in a partial/complete loss of any sensation in their foot over time.

How should this ulcer be treated?

The basic purpose of curing foot ulcers will be to have those cure as soon as possible. The moment the wound start healing, the infection risk lowers down.

Although not all ulcers can be infected, if your diabetic foot ulcer treatment specialist diagnoses an infection, wound care, antibiotics, and potentially hospitalization may be needed.

What are the causes of foot ulcer?

Ulcers develop as a result of a number of conditions, including a loss of sensation in the feet, poor circulation, foot abnormalities, irritation, trauma, and diabetic duration.

Neuropathy, a diminished or full lack of ability to feel any pain in your feet caused by any nerve damage caused by rising levels of blood glucose over time, can develop in patients having diabetes who have had it for a long period.

Nerve damage can occur without causing pain, and the patient may be unaware of the problem. A simple and painless equipment called a monofilament can be used by your podiatrist to test the feet for neuropathy.

A foot ulcer can become more complicated due to vascular disease and this can reduce the ability of your body to heal and increase the infection risk. Blood glucose levels that are too high can impair the body’s capacity to fight infection and delay healing.