When hearing the term “ulcer”, most people make a connection to the type of ulcer that occurs within the stomach lining. While this is certainly one type of ulcer, there is another in the form of a skin ulcer. In simple terms, an ulcer of the skin involves layers of the skin breaking open and then not healing properly. Usually, skin ulceration would be accompanied by redness, swelling, and pain.
Causes of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer
There are several concerns when it comes to a skin ulcer beyond the inability to heal. For instance, sometimes once a person develops the first ulcer, the condition becomes chronic. At that point, this individual would be at risk for developing more and more ulcers. Along with being frustrating, this is extremely risky and often hard to treat.
Even worse with a diabetic foot ulcer is if the skin were to become ulcerated, the open wound would dramatically increase the risk of infection. Once an infection sets in, treatment can be challenging and if not brought under control, a person with diabetes could lose the foot to amputation. Foot problems are so critical that along with proper management of insulin levels, proper foot care should be a part of every diabetic’s management care plan.
Venous Ulcer
Because this is one of the main types of ulcers a person with diabetes gets, we wanted to provide a little more detail. Of all leg and foot ulcers, this type accounts for about 70%. Diagnosis is relatively easy in that this ulcer presents with very specific characteristics. For instance, the area affected becomes very swollen, the surrounding skin is dry, itchy, and in some instances, brownish in color, the ulcer would ooze, and it is often accompanied by eczema.
Although this type of ulcer is typically located on the inside of the leg and just above the ankle, it can develop slightly lower. The cause is that both superficial and deep-seeded veins do not function as they should and with these veins being responsible for proper blood flow, any compromise would trigger the formation of an ulcer. A few of the things a person could do to prevent a diabetic foot ulcer of this type includes:
- Regular walking
- Reduced fat content in the diet and consumption of more fresh fruits and vegetables
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Never sit with legs crossed
- Frequent change or movement of the legs and feet regardless if standing or sitting for long periods at work
- Wear support stockings
- Sit with legs elevated
- Conduct regular inspections of the feet for open sores, redness, swelling, or brownish colored skin since pain is seldom connected to this type of ulcer
Arterial Ulcers
The second common type of diabetic foot ulcer is called the arterial ulcer. Although just 10% of ulcers are this kind, pain is a main symptom. However, remember if a person with diabetes has Neuropathy, the ability to feel that pain is greatly diminished or nonexistent. In addition, Neuropathy causes a loss of heat and cold sensation, two additional symptoms of arterial ulcers.
Because of higher risk for infection, feet must be properly maintained and inspected. Left untreated, arterial ulcers can lead to very dangerous situations. The arteries are what carry oxygenated and nutritional blood from the heart to tissue within the body, making it possible for tissue to thrive. From there, oxygen and nutrients of the blood are replaced with carbon dioxide, as well as various byproducts, and taken back to the heart through the arteries. Since an ulcer would prevent this natural process, quick identification and treatment of an arterial ulcer is mandatory.
Narrowed arteries lead to ulcers of this type because of compromised blood circulation. For someone who has lived with diabetes for some time, the small blood vessels become damaged. In addition, narrowing of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis is one of the risks of diabetes. Because of both small blood vessels and arteries being impacted, developing a diabetic foot ulcer of this type increases significantly.
A few things a person could do to lower the risk of developing an arterial ulcer have been provided below:
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce fat content in the diet and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables
- Get daily exercise
- Follow a strict foot care maintenance plan