If you have poor circulation or diabetes, don’t ignore a foot problem that involves redness, swelling, blisters, or bleeding. At South Alamo Foot & Ankle at San Antonio, Texas, Kris Ford, DPM, and Jonathan Lorenzana, DPM, treat foot ulcers before they lead to other complications. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Foot Ulcers Q&A
What are foot ulcers?
Foot ulcers are sores on the skin of your feet that don’t heal, or that heal and return repeatedly. Food ulcers can swell, burn, and cause pain. There are two major types of foot ulcers:
Neurotropic ulcers
People with diabetes often get neurotropic foot ulcers on the bottom of their feet. Neurotropic ulcers are also called diabetic foot ulcers.
Arterial ulcers
People with poor circulation may develop arterial ulcers all over the feet.
Who is at risk for foot ulcers?
People with poor circulation and diabetes are at the greatest risk of getting foot ulcers. Several other health conditions may increase the risk of foot ulcers, including:
Obesity
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Wounded feet
Alcohol use
Tobacco use
Nerve damage
Older men are also at high risk for developing a foot ulcer. Ulcers may lead to reduced functioning of the feet, and in severe cases may require amputation.
How are foot ulcers prevented?
If you have diabetes or other risk factors for foot ulcers such as diabetes, you can take the following steps to help prevent ulcers:
Examine your feet daily for cracks or calluses
Keep your feet clean with daily washing with mild soap
Dry feet thoroughly
Trim toenails straight across
Wear shoes that fit properly
Change socks if they become wet or sweaty
If you have calluses or corns on your feet, ask the team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle how to care for them. Sometimes your doctor prefers to treat them in the office.
How are foot ulcers treated?
If you have good circulation, the team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle may treat your foot ulcers with debridement, a process of trimming away diseased skin and tissue along with callused skin.
The treated area is protected with a dressing, and you may wear a cast, walking shoe, or specialized footwear to relieve pressure on the treated area.
The dressing needs changing every few days, and you need to visit South Alamo Foot & Ankle frequently for examination and further debriding of the area until the ulcer heals completely. Antibiotics are prescribed if the team suspects an infection.
Foot ulcers usually heal within 12 weeks. You may require surgery if your foot ulcers do not respond to debridement.
If you have foot ulcers, call South Alamo Foot & Ankle or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment. Left untreated, an ulcer becomes infected and causes other foot conditions.
