Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Keep an eye on your feet

Diabetic foot is a disorder characterized by infection, scabs, and/or tissue damage associated with abnormalities in the nerves and blood flow of the lower limbs in diabetics. Diabetes causes 40-60% of amputations that are not the result of an accident, and Diabetic Foot affects 4-10% of diabetics.Diabetes mellitus patients frequently experience diabetic foot.Fortunately, this can be prevented with good foot care. With good daily care, any complications that arise will be treated before they get worse.

There are three major types of diabetic foot problems:

1. Blood flow problems
2. Infection problem
3. Neuropathy (nerve) problems

High sugar levels in the blood will damage the walls of blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood flow to the ends of the feet, and less blood flow causes less oxygenation in damaged tissue, causing scabs. The scab will be difficult to heal with less blood flow, so the scab will become deeper. Signs of diabetic foot are pale, thinning, shiny skin, tissue under the skin thinning, hair on the feet and toes falling out or balding, toenails thickening and yellowing, and the pulse in the feet weakening or disappearing. The feet can also experience sharp pain, similar to being stabbed, especially after physical activity.

The examination that will be carried out by the doctor is:

1. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a comparison of arm and leg blood pressure.
2. Doppler ultrasound
3. CT Scan of Blood Vessels
4. Angiography

Things to do to avoid complications, namely:

1. Controlling blood sugar levels can reduce damage to blood vessels and nerves. If there is a leg wound, blood sugar control will lower the chance of needing an amputation.
2. Quit smoking. Smoking has been shown to exacerbate blood vessel conditions and can further impair blood flow to the legs.
   Reduce activities that can injure your feet. such as walking barefoot or using hot compresses on the feet.
3. Regular exercise, such as diabetes gymnastics.
4. Cut the toenails properly; do not injure the surrounding tissue; and smooth the sharp edges so as not to injure the other toes.
5. If you have problems with your nails or toes, contact your doctor immediately.
6. Daily foot washing and inspection.
7. Use warm water and mild soap to clean your feet.
8. Dry your feet and use a moisturizer that doesn't contain alcohol or fragrances that are irritating to the skin.
1. Examine the entire surface of the foot in detail. If necessary, use a mirror or ask for help from other family members.

What if there is already a scab?

Scabs that are only on the surface of the skin:

1. The doctor will clean and remove dead skin and tissue.
2. If there is an infection, antibiotics can be given.
3. The sufferer must clean and change the scabs on his feet two times a day.
4. Try to raise your legs while sitting.
5. The scab should be examined by a specialist once a week.

Deep scabs involving muscles and bones require hospitalization, as they require an x-ray examination and the injection of antibiotics. Surgery may be needed to remove the infected bone. If part of the foot or toes are damaged, resulting in dead and rotting tissue, a partial amputation or amputation may be required. Patients with Diabetic Legs and impaired blood flow to their feet will receive therapy to improve blood flow, which may include drug administration, surgery, or endovascular procedures.Sufferers need to learn a lot and know things related to diabetic feet. Sufferers and doctors must work together as a team to treat this disease.

Foot care is the most important factor in preventing this complication. Before consulting a doctor, Hermina's friends are advised to record the complaints they are experiencing. remembering what Hermina's friend was doing before the complaint was felt, whether Hermina's friend had an injury or not. In addition, collect a complete medical history, including any medical history. This helps doctors determine what diseases Hermina Friends are suffering from.