How to Prevent a Diabetic Ulcer

When you have diabetes, the impacts of chronic high blood sugar on your body can result in complications for your extremities, especially your feet. You could develop diabetic neuropathy, resulting in numbness and loss of sensation in your feet. Or, you could develop painful diabetic ulcers, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

Dr. Leonard Greenwald offers expert diabetic foot care from his practice in San Jose, California. Dr. Greenwald can restore the condition of your feet after ulcers develop. He can also advise you on how to prevent diabetic ulcers and other foot complications related to your diabetes. 

Your risk of diabetic ulcers

Living with diabetes means your body can’t correctly regulate your blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar is too high over a sustained period of time, it causes damage inside your body, including to the interior of your blood vessels and your nerves. Nerve damage can cause reduced sensation or persistent discomfort.

And, as a result of damaged blood vessels, your extremities don’t receive the amount of fresh blood they need to stay healthy. That puts you at risk for diabetic ulcers, open wounds or sores that can be slow to heal.

Diabetic ulcers often become infected. If you do develop a diabetic ulcer, talk to Dr. Greenwald about the right care to protect yourself from infection. Infection in your feet can become very serious if you have diabetes, and can even lead to limb loss. But with the right care and monitoring, your feet don’t have to be harmed as a result of your diabetes.

Preventing diabetic ulcers

It’s more than worth your time and effort to take steps to protect yourself from diabetic ulcers. This may include lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments to get your blood sugar levels under control and manage your diabetes. Additionally, Dr. Greenwald can advise you on the podiatry-related issues connected to your diabetes.

People living with diabetes need to check on their feet regularly. You should check your feet daily for redness, blisters, cuts, and sores. If you have foot pain, don’t ignore it! Talk to Dr. Greenwald right away about any issues you notice.

Wash your feet regularly, making sure the water isn’t too hot. Dry your feet carefully, paying extra attention to the spaces between your toes. Use moisturizer after washing to keep your skin from cracking. Change your socks every day.

Your footwear also matters. You don’t want your shoes to rub against your feet, as this can potentially create wounds that are an infection risk. Make sure your stockings or socks aren’t too tight around your ankles, and don’t have seams that could rub against your feet.

It’s also not a good idea to go barefoot, either indoors or outdoors, leaving your feet vulnerable to scrapes and cuts that could become infected.

Dr. Greenwald works with you to develop diabetic foot care plans that work with your routines and treatment needs. To learn more about how you can protect your feet from damage related to diabetes, contact Dr. Greenwald today. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone.