Diabetic Foot Ulcer Early Stages

We all know that diabetes is a common health problem that people around the world face. You must know that diabetic foot ulcer is another risk associated with the condition.

With 422 million diabetic people all across the globe, it is the most rapidly growing non-communicable disease.

To add to your knowledge, numerous studies reflect that 15-20 percent of diabetic people acquire the problem of foot ulcers.

So, if you are a diabetic person, you must watch out for the following early signs of diabetic foot ulcers. Detecting the early signs will enable you to have a proactive approach to treat the ulcer way before it becomes serious with time and ignorance.

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Diabetic Foot Ulcer Early signs

Diabetic foot ulcers can start with small cuts or injuries to the feet. Even friction due to poorly fitted shoes can start a diabetic foot ulcer. In the initial stages, diabetic foot ulcers may show some mild signs and symptoms. Some of the early signs of diabetic foot ulcers are discussed below.

Spot or Stain on the socks- A spot or stain on the socks or leakage through the socks is a sign that something is wrong with your foot. Staining or spotting of the socks may occur due to bleeding and leakage through the cut and is one of the most common symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers in the early stages.

Redness and Swelling– Another early sign of a diabetic foot ulcer is redness and swelling in the area around the wound or cut. You may notice some of the skin bulging out. This may also be accompanied by minor skin discoloration.

Drainage accompanied by a foul odor– In addition to redness and swelling, you may also notice some fluid discharge or leakage from the wound. Usually, this is accompanied by a foul odor. The presence of a foul odor indicates microbial activities in the wound. In the absence of proper care, this can rapidly result in the wound getting infected.

Blisters, corns, calluses- The formation of blister, corn or callus-like structures on the foot is another very common symptom of diabetic foot ulcers in the initial phases. You may mistake them for normal blisters or corns, but if they do not heal on their own even after a considerable amount of time, it may indicate the presence of a diabetic foot wound.

Skin firmness and pain on touching- On touching, you may notice firmness in the skin around the affected area. The skin may appear to be thicker and you may also experience some pain. This is also a very common sign indicating the development of diabetic foot wounds.

Very often, it is seen that diabetic foot ulcers go unnoticed in the early stages. This happens due to the damage to the sensory nerves (peripheral neuropathy) caused due to prolonged diabetes.

Due to peripheral neuropathy, the sensation in the foot is lost. It is quite possible that you may not even be aware that something is going on with your feet. By the time you notice the symptoms, the condition of the foot ulcer gets worsened.

Therefore, if you are diabetic, it is very important to check your feet for these symptoms on a regular basis. Depending upon the severity, you may notice some or all of the aforementioned signs.

The sooner diabetic foot wounds are diagnosed, the lesser the complications will be. Detection of diabetic foot wounds in the early stages can save you from the risks and complex treatments for the condition. Therefore, consult your podiatrist as soon as the symptoms start surfacing.

What you must do for diabetic foot ulcer treatment?

First of all, before you start to panic, just take a breath and remind yourself that diabetic foot ulcers are curable. This gentle reminder to yourself will allow you to deal with the condition more rationally.

Seek a specialist

It should be the first thing that crosses your mind as soon as you notice the early signs of a diabetic foot ulcer. Tell your doctor about your medical history and get the best-suited treatment. It is easier to treat diabetic foot ulcers in the initial stage without any major hassles. Just follow the proper treatment to get rid of the diabetic foot ulcer absolutely.

Use the helpful home remedies

Apply aloe vera gel in natural form is an effective home remedy on ulcer-affected skin. Aloe vera imparts fast soothing effects on the foot ulcer. Thus, it reduces the redness and the soreness of the ulcer and keeps away the chances of harmful microbial growth in the ulcer.
A cup of coffee is not a bad idea. Coffee stimulates blood circulation throughout the body. As a result of the improved blood flow to the foot, it stimulates the body’s immune response against the foot ulcer.
You can apply tea tree oil in combination with coconut oil on the foot ulcer. This mixture will prevent skin infection and promote the healing process. Also, coconut oil will make the skin softer and healthier.

A healthy diet and light yoga can help with diabetic foot ulcers

A healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle is the key to maintaining a healthy body.

A diet rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc can go a long way in improving the condition of diabetic foot ulcers. A healthy diet ensures proper blood circulation and also keeps the blood sugar in check, thereby promoting faster healing.

In a similar manner, yoga asanas that improve the circulation of blood and help maintain optimum blood sugar levels are very effective in providing relief from diabetic foot ulcers.

Yoga asanas like Dhanurasana, Paschimottanasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, and Shavasana can help you control your diabetes and thus prevent diabetic foot ulcers from worsening. Just remember not to put excessive pressure on your feet while performing yoga and you’ll see significant improvements.

Seek Advanced Medical Care with Pristyn Care

Taking good care of yourself and your health is essential to ensure that you don’t face such problems. And no matter what, it is crucial that you don’t jump to conclusions or self-medicate, especially in the case of diabetic foot ulcers. It is advised that you get in touch with a vascular specialist and let him/her handle the condition. This will save you from a lot of health troubles.

So, if you want to consult a doctor regarding diabetic foot ulcers, you can get in touch with Pristyn Care. We have a team of expert doctors that assure you to receive the best treatment experience. All you have to do is just book your appointment.