Ulcers Archives - New England Podiatry

What You Should Know About Diabetic Foot Care

The Risk of Diabetes

Both nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood circulation can cause loss of feeling in your feet. This may take away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, making it difficult to detect an injury. Poor circulation in your feet also reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

Having diabetes puts you at risk for developing a wide range of foot problems, such as:

Infections and ulcers that don’t heal. Because of poor circulation in the feet, cuts or blisters can quickly become ulcers that become infected and won’t heal.

Corns and calluses– When neuropathy is present, you can’t tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses.

Dry, cracked skin – Poor circulation can dry your skin, resulting in cracks that may become sores.

Ingrown toenails

Fungal infections

Hammertoes and bunions

What You Can Do

Luckily, you can do a variety of things to decrease the risk of developing serious complications from diabetes. You play a vital role in reducing complications. Here are some tips:

Inspect your feet daily.

Pay attention to the color of your feet and toes. If they turn red, pink, or purplish, poor circulation may be a problem.

Don’t ignore foot or leg pain.

Keep floors free of sharp objects. With reduced sensitivity, you may not notice any inflicted wounds or cuts on your feet.

Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes indoors and outdoors.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Joshua Ouellette, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various foot and ankle conditions. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.

Dangers of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

If you’re not sure about the dangers of diabetic foot ulcers, here is one word: infection. Once this word enters the conversation, there is a risk for more severe consequences: limb amputation or even death. A diabetic foot ulcer is a cut or wound found on the foot. The ulcer is one of the common complications that impact patients who are managing their diabetes.

The doctors at New England Podiatry Associates often meet with patients who first noticed a cut on their foot. Their decision to contact a podiatrist is a good one, and it may be a limb-saving one, too. After diagnosing a wound, the first goal is to keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection. If a podiatrist already detects signs of infection, the goal immediately goes to treatment to reduce the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body.

We know the dangers of diabetic foot ulcers. Here are things you can do if you spot a wound:

Get your cleaning supplies

Yes, no matter the size of the cut, it’s time to clean. We encourage you to clean your wound gently and regularly. We also want you to change your bandages daily and keep an eye out for signs of infection. Call us with any concerns.

Pause on adding pressure

If you have a wound, it’s time to take it easy. Don’t walk barefoot and do your best to limit the amount of pressure you apply to the wound. For some people, this may look like using crutches or a cane. Ask about your options for custom orthotics, as well.

Stay in contact with your podiatrist

From the moment you tell us about an ulcer, we are on watch duty with you, too. We want to know about the progress of your wound, and we want to see your cut often. Schedule a visit with us as soon as possible and check-in regularly.

There are dangers about diabetic foot ulcers, but there are many things to do before there is a cause for worry. The first step is contacting us and keeping our team in the loop. We’re here to walk you through the next steps.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various conditions such as sports injuries, foot and ankle pain, pediatric foot care, ingrown toenails, and flat feet. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.