What You Need to Know about Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Roughly 15% of diabetics will get foot ulcers.

Most commonly located on the bottom of your foot, diabetic ulcers force 6% of those affected into hospitalization for infection or other complications.

Diabetes is also the leading cause of lower-extremity amputations in the United States, requiring around 20% of those affected to eventually need one.

So it’s clearly a serious matter.

What are the Risk Factors for Diabetes?

Diabetes comes in two types, each with their own risk factors: Type 1 and Type 2.

Not all risk factors for diabetes are known. It’s somewhat of a mysterious condition.

We do know some of the risk factors for Type 1 diabetes. And we do have a much clearer understanding of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

Science has found that the following are risk factors for each type:

• Type 1 diabetes – Having a parent, brother, or sister with the condition. You’re most likely to get it as a teen or young adult. Caucasian people are also more likely to get Type 1 diabetes than African-Americans or Latinos.
• Type 2 diabetes – Having prediabetes. Parents, brothers, or sisters with the condition. Being 45+ years old. Engaging in physical activity less than 3 times per week. Having had gestational diabetes. African-Americans, Latinos, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives are also more likely than Caucasians to get Type 2 diabetes.

Can You Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers?

Unfortunately, nothing is an absolute guarantee when it comes to preventing diabetic foot ulcers.

But you can reduce your chances of one to nearly zero by doing the following:

• Inspect your feet daily for any sores, blisters, irritation, calluses, or open wounds
• Daily wash your feet with warm soap and water and dry gently with a towel (nd especially between your toes)
• Apply a moisturizer to your feet to keep them hydrated
• Never walk barefoot
• Never wear shoes without socks
• Never remove corns or calluses on your own
• Never warm your feet with a space heater or foot spa
• Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed
• Check your blood sugar daily
• Exercise 5-6 times per week, aiming for no more than 48 hours between sessions
• Wear shoes that fit your feet comfortably. Consider custom orthotics for a perfect fit.

The best thing you can do is to generally live a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and regular exercise so you avoid getting diabetes in the first place.

But if you already have it, you can certainly take many steps to make sure you don’t end up with a foot ulcer…and perhaps an amputation.

Hopefully, this information helps you understand what to do.