Foot Care 2 You
Trusted Podiatrists serving West Orange, NJ, Toms River, NJ, Bloomfield, NJ & Elmwood Park, NJ
Did you know that as many as 15% of diabetics develop a foot ulcer, and it can lead to a foot amputation without proper treatment? If you have an open wound or sore on your foot, you should visit the conscientious podiatrists of Foot Care 2 You in Toms River, West Orange, Elmwood Park, or Bloomfield, New Jersey. Schedule your foot ulcer evaluation online or over the phone.
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Foot Ulcers
What causes a foot ulcer?
Foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes. These wounds usually begin as a small blister, cut, or sore.
Blood flow can be severely limited in your feet due to the effects of gravity and the effects of poorly managed diabetes. Even a minor wound can stay open for too long and become prone to serious infection.
Some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing foot ulcers include:
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy)
- Being obese or overweight
- Not wearing socks with shoes or walking barefoot
- Wearing ill-fitting, pointy, or snug shoes
- Trauma to the area
- Frequent high blood sugar levels
- Vascular insufficiency
- Kidney or heart disease
If the skin on your feet is overly dry, sometimes foot ulcers begin as tiny cracks.
What are the symptoms of a foot ulcer?
Foot ulcers can cause various signs and symptoms. As a diabetic, you’re prone to nerve damage, and you may or may not be able to feel pain. When you have a foot ulcer, you might notice:
- Foul foot odor
- Inflammation or redness
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Blackened skin tissue (eschar) that surrounds the ulcer
- Oozing pus or blood
Foot ulcers usually start as small wounds, so it’s important to examine your feet daily and visit Foot Care 2 You at the first indication of any injury.
How are foot ulcers treated?
The goal of treating foot ulcers is to get your current infection under control and promote tissue healing. Your Foot Care 2 You podiatrist might recommend certain testing, screening, or imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI to see if the bone underneath is also affected.
Your podiatrist usually removes the damaged and ulcerated skin in an in-office procedure known as wound debridement before bandaging your wound and showing you how to care for it at home.
Your personalized foot ulcer treatment plan might also include:
- Diabetic shoes or custom orthotics to off-load pressure
- Topical or oral antibiotic medications
- Anti-clotting or antiplatelet drugs
For severe foot ulcers, you might need a limb salvage procedure that involves removing ulcerated or gangrenous tissues and making certain other essential repairs if necessary, in an effort to prevent amputation.
The well-informed podiatrists of Foot Care 2 You specialize in foot ulcer care, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands.
Your podiatrist can also connect with other doctors regarding your care and provide referrals to other specialists when needed.
If you have a foot ulcer, visit Foot Care 2 You for effective podiatric care as soon as possible. Call or book an appointment online.