How to Diagnose and Treat Diabetic Foot Infection?

Diabetes could be a common illness that causes severe foot infections in some patients. Please read on for the symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and self-care tips for this condition called diabetic foot infection.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that indicates high blood sugar. Diabetic patients' body can't regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) within the blood correctly. Everyone has an insulin response and diabetes management. However, diabetes can bring about critical issues if no action is taken. Foot infections are mostly seen in patients with diabetes. Besides foot infections will be seen in light, moderate and hard forms in several patients. Diabetic foot infection diagnosis and treatment can be quite painful. For example, having an excessive amount of sugar in the blood of diabetic patients for an extended time can bring important complications.

What are the Types of Diabetic Foot Infections?

Bacterial infections, fungal infections, and local skin infections are quite common in diabetic patients. In a person with diabetes, the immunity is weakened due to the increase in blood sugar values ​​and other factors and a serious athlete's foot infection occurs. Depending on the complications of diabetes, patients may have to face many problems that cause decreased sweating, such as diabetic neuropathy.

In the case of prolonged diabetes, blood vessel damage can occur and the healing time of the wounds is prolonged. There could also be cracks within the skin that may cause infectious organisms to get in. Therefore, local bacterial infections or dermopathy can be seen. As a result, there may be significant pigmentation changes on your skin. In addition, infection can be seen in your nails. This could be caused by other factors such as nerve injury if you don't cut your nails correctly and regularly. You are more likely to get a nail infection if you have uncontrolled diabetes. We can explain the main types of diabetic foot infections as follows:

1. Athlete's Foot 

Athlete's foot is that of the most typical diabetic foot infection suffered by patients. It's essentially a fungal infection that triggers redness, itching and cracking. The fungus may enter through the cracks in your skin, causing an infection. Athlete's foot could be treated with medication.

2. Corn

The corns are mainly created by tight and uncomfortable shoes. This issue may be a rough skin condition that typically happens between the toes. Do not cut corns and avoid treating them with homemade remedies. If you encounter this problem, you should definitely consult your doctor.

3. Callus

Calluses are a tough skin problem on the bottom of the foot. This problem occurs due to the person's excessive weight and their shoes being too tight. For the correct treatment, you should consult your doctor and do not cut calluses.

4. Cracks

Cracks, which are widespread in dry skin, occur very often in diabetic patients. These cracks can allow germs to enter your feet. That's why you should take care to use moisturizer to keep your skin moist and soft at all times.

5. Ulcers

Foot ulcers or diabetic ulcers are open deep sores or cavities that occur within the skin of the feet. This issue occurs as a result of minor cuts heal late. If you have such a condition, wearing unsuitable shoes may cause critical foot infections. Though this diabetic foot infection isn't very widespread, it needs immediate medical attention.

6. Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenail happens once the sides of your toenail grow towards your skin. This could be very painful, particularly in and round the nail. The edge of your nail may cut your skin, bringing redness and swelling. It could also cause pus infection. Thus, you ought to always wear appropriate shoes and cut your nails gently in time.

Also read:  https://timeofarticle.blogspot.com/2021/04/how-to-control-insulin-levels-with-5.html?m=1

What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Infection?

Calluses can occur in diabetic patients, similar to ulcers and without any pain sensation. Most of the time, infections occur in the nails of these patients. We could order the symptoms of diabetic foot infections as follows:

• Corns

• Calluses

• Pain

• Foot swelling 

• Growth of toenails

• Cracks in the skin

• Change in skin temperature, color, or appearance

• Terrible smell

How can Diabetic Foot Infection Be Diagnosed? What are the Risk Factors of it?

Diagnosis of diabetic foot infection is made supported on the clinical signs and symptoms of local inflammation. The tissue layer is cleared of ulcers utilizing a scalpel or by doing a bone biopsy on wounds.

Foot deformity that causes corn or some fungal infections may trigger ulcers to develop between the toes or in the nail fold. Therefore, if it's not treated for an extended time, it can cause local bleeding, pain and discharge. Some vital effects put patients at bigger risk. Diabetic foot infection risk factors may be listed as follows:

• Wrong hygiene habits

• Walking barefoot

• Wearing tight or pointed shoes for long periods of time

• Not cutting your nails properly

• Smoking

How can Diabetic Foot Infection Be Treated?

The most important issue for the treatment of diabetic foot infection is to diagnose the problem early. Because it is very difficult to treat such bacterial and fungal infections.

It is recommended to detect any early signs of neuropathy for treatment purposes. The patient is advised to clean and care for their feet every day. Any fungal infection should be treated appropriately, with glucose control, appropriate antibiotic use, wound care, and antifungal administration where required. Gangrene caused by the lack of blood in some tissues is a very dangerous condition for the body. In such a case, surgical intervention may be required to save the patient's foot, and sometimes even to save the patient's life.

In order to reduce the negative possibilities and to treat them well, the most important thing is to control diabetes. It is not possible for every diabetic patient to suffer from a diabetic foot infection. Early screening and diagnosis, better lifestyle choices, and proper diabetes management can prevent any diabetes-related issues.

What are the Home Care Methods For Diabetic Foot Infection?

Home care methods for diabetic foot infection can be listed as follows:

• Reduce your salt intake

• Use bandages, diabetes shoes and diabetes socks

• Select comfortable socks and shoes

• Keep your feet clean at all times

• Reduce the pressure on your feet

• Pare your toenails often

• Keep your feet covered in a dry cloth.

• Do not walk barefoot

• Do not smoke

• Watch your diabetes level

• Do not try homemade remedies without medical advice

• Visit your doctor regularly for foot problems.

In the case of diabetes, even a small cut can make things difficult and can even result in amputation. Therefore, the self-care tips mentioned above can be helpful in preventing and even dealing with serious foot infections. Besides, you need to eat properly and exercise regularly to prevent and treat diabetes. If there is a history of diabetes in your family, it is normal to suspect that you have diabetes. In such a case, you should consult your doctor without wasting time and have the necessary tests done.