Diabetic foot, a complication of diabetes that can lead to amputation

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause serious complications if left untreated. Well, one of the most common risk of complications is injury to the foot or diabetic ulcer, also known as diabetic foot. Find out more about the complications of diabetes in the feet in the following review.

Causes of diabetic ulcers (diabetic foot sores)

Diabetic foot is a complication in the feet of diabetics due to uncontrolled high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This complication is generally in the form of diabetic ulcers or wounds due to infection or damage to the skin tissue on the feet of people with diabetes.

When blood sugar levels are too high, you are at risk for nerve damage. According to the National Institute of Diabetes, when nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) occurs, diabetics cannot feel pain or odd sensations when the foot is injured.

That is what then causes diabetics to not realize there is a wound on the leg until it makes the wound worse because it is not treated.

At the same time, the blood vessels in the damaged leg are unable to drain the nutrient and oxygen-rich blood smoothly. In fact, blood flow rich in oxygen and nutrients is very important for the wound healing process. This is exacerbated by a weak immune system so that the infection is getting worse.

Without proper blood flow, diabetic wounds on the feet may be difficult to heal or may not even heal at all. Gradually, the wound on the leg will turn into a diabetic ulcer or an infected ulcer and eventually experience tissue death (gangrene).

The condition of diabetic ulcers that gets worse can lead to permanent leg disability. In most cases, severe infections should be treated with leg amputations to stop the infection from spreading to other areas of the body.

In addition, those with diabetic feet also experience tingling easily and have difficulty moving their feet due to nerve damage to the feet.

Forms of diabetic foot disorders

Diabetic ulcers can be characterized by damage or death to the tissue in the feet due to a variety of factors, including skin irritation, infection, and nerve problems in the feet.

Here are some diabetic ulcer conditions and foot disorders that may be experienced by diabetics according to the American Diabetes Association.

1. Fungal infection

Fungal infections of the skin of the feet of people with diabetes are usually caused by Candida albicans. This fungus usually attacks the skin that is moist, lacks air circulation, and is not exposed to sunlight.

Foot disorders in diabetics who experience this cause itching and red spots on the surface of the feet. This condition will then lead to the formation of diabetic ulcers. Common fungal infections are athlete's foot otherwise known as water fleas.

2. Ulcers

Ulcers are a form of open wound on the foot caused by diabetic foot. This condition will take a very long time until the wound closes again.

Ulcers can be a gateway for germs from outside which then infect the feet if not treated as early as possible. When infection occurs, the ulcer can get worse and become a diabetic ulcer, which is characterized by a discharge and an unpleasant odor from the feet.

3. Hammertoes

Hammertoes is a problem that causes your toes to appear to bend downward.

This condition occurs because the muscles are weakened and the tendons (the tissue that connects muscles to bones) become shorter. The same thing can happen with the big toe that curves towards the second toe. This condition is called a bunion.

This diabetic foot disorder causes diabetics to have difficulty walking and cause pain.

4. Dry and cracked skin

Diabetic neuropathy can dry out the skin on the feet. This disorder is also one of the common symptoms of diabetes.

At first glance it may not be dangerous, but dry skin can lead to cracks that may become diabetic sores and further lead to diabetic ulcers that are difficult to heal.

5. Resilient

Apart from calluses, a common diabetic foot problem experienced by diabetics is resilient. This disruption to the feet is caused by constant friction on the surface of the footwear.

Resilient shaped like a bubble filled with liquid. In diabetics, usually the elastic will be larger on the surface of the foot. Avoid breaking the flexes as this can cause sores on the feet that are at risk of becoming infected and forming diabetic ulcers.

6. Calluses

Calluses or callous is a form of diabetic foot disorder that causes a buildup of skin until it eventually hardens. This disorder usually appears around the heels or soles of the feet.

The process of skin buildup will occur more quickly in individuals who have diabetes so that calluses will form. Calluses in diabetics are usually triggered by footwear that does not match the shape of the foot due to changes hammertoes.

Keep in mind, even if it causes discomfort,do not cut skin buildup this is because it can cause bleeding and diabetic ulcers.

7. Charcot's feet

Nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy can cause changes in the shape of Charcot's foot or foot.

This diabetes foot symptom is initially characterized by inflammation, redness, and swelling. When the leg swelling gets bigger, diabetics usually begin to feel pain until eventually the bones in the swollen leg move and crack.

This condition often affects the top of the foot near the ankle. The shifting and fracturing of the bones causes the upper leg to become curved.

How to prevent diabetic wounds on the feet

Not a few diabetic patients experience injuries to their feet due to activity and exercise. That is why it is important for you to do your best to prevent diabetes sores that can lead to complications of diabetic foot.

Here are ways to prevent sores that can develop into diabetic ulcers:

1. Avoid sports that give a lot of impact to the feet

Even though you have to exercise regularly, you still need to pay attention to the type of exercise to prevent injuries, especially to the feet.

Exercise that is too strenuous has a great risk of injury for people with diabetes. Choose sports such as yoga, tai chi, walking and swimming — rather than running.

Running will provide repeated impact on the soles of your feet which can increase the risk of injury that can lead to diabetic ulcers.

2. Choose shoes according to the activities undertaken

Another way to prevent diabetes wounds is to always use footwear that is suitable for the activities you are going to do, for example, using running shoes for jogging. The use of the right footwear can help smooth blood flow to the feet during activities.

Wearing unsuitable footwear can put you at risk for injury. Also make sure the size is right and not narrow so as not to cause calluses that have the potential to become diabetic sores or ulcers.

There are several tips that you can consider when choosing shoes for diabetes, namely:

Choose shoes that are deep, about 0.6-1.2 cm from your usual shoes, so that your feet are not too narrow
Choose lightweight shoes with flexible materials, such as leather or canvas.
Choose shoes with straps that you can loosen or tighten, so they can be adjusted according to the condition of your feet.
Shoes should have a firm back with a soft, sweat-absorbing sole.
Do not choose shoes that are narrow, leave a distance of about half a centimeter from the toes of the shoes.

4. Always use footwear complete with socks

When on the move, don't forget to use footwear, including in the house. The right footwear and thick enough can protect the soles of your feet from various sharp objects and can injure the feet.

Socks keep your feet dry and are better protected from external objects that might injure your feet. Not only that, your feet will also feel comfortable because of the socks that act as soft pads in your shoes.

5. Check and check the condition of the feet every day

Make it a habit to check your feet before and after doing sports, because you may experience injuries but not feel pain.

In addition, make it a habit to wash your feet and dry them immediately so that your feet are always clean. Keep your feet dry as a form of preventing wounds from forming. Avoid cleaning your feet with water that is too hot.

Check your feet regularly for any unusual changes. Including the presence of pain, sores, or skin ulcers. Open wounds, lacerations, or cuts on the leg should be examined by a doctor immediately.

Diabetic foot or diabetic ulcers can be avoided if you live a healthy lifestyle to control blood sugar levels and follow the instructions for taking diabetes medication from your doctor if necessary

Foot care and examinations must be carried out regularly every day. If you experience symptoms related to diabetic foot, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.