Foot Ulcer Symptoms
Signs of Foot Ulcer
A foot ulcer is a common skin problem characterized by the development of open wounds or skin lesions on the foot that usually takes time to heal. This condition is most commonly seen among patients having diabetes and can be caused by a number of reasons such as poor circulation, trauma, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. A person experiencing foot ulcer symptoms should not hesitate to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment because if left untreated, foot ulcers can cause several complications that may eventually lead to the amputation of the infected area of the foot.
A foot ulcer looks like a red depression or hole in the skin. They develop mostly on the sides or base of the foot or on the tip of a toe. The ulcer may be bordered by layer of thickened and coarse skin. In some cases the ulcer may spread deep into the foot tendons or bones. If the nerves in your foot are functioning properly, you will experience pain caused by the ulcers. However, people with damaged sensory nerves do not experience any pain whatsoever. Diabetic patients have poor blood circulation, especially to the lower extremity regions. This causes their feet to become numb and they do not feel any sores or pain. As a result, the foot ulcers are left untreated leading to several complications such as an infection of the bones or the blood stream.
How To Spot Foot Ulcer?
The primary foot ulcer symptoms include irritation of the skin, blistering and skin redness. In the advanced stages, the patient may develop open sores that drain fluid. These wounds become infected leading to inflammation and draining of pus. The following are some of the most common foot ulcer symptoms.
- Skin lacerations – As mentioned earlier, the initial symptoms of foot ulcer is the development of skin lesions that is usually surrounded by a thickened and coarse skin border.
- Skin discoloration – The skin at the infected area may be unusually discolored and may appear blue, red or black in color.
- Swelling or inflammation – Foot ulcer can cause damage to the surrounding tissues leading to inflammation and swelling. This causes the affected foot to appear enlarged and tender to touch.
- Pain or burning sensation – People suffering from foot ulcers may experience burning, itching or pain in the affected area, a condition that can be very uncomfortable. The pain in the foot can vary from mild to severe and may affect the normal daily activities of the patient. Due to the severe irritation, the patients may scratch the affected area leading to an infection.
- Fever – Another common foot ulcer symptom is fever that is usually mild in nature. Along with fever, the patient may also experience chills, headache or sweating.
- Drainage of pus – Foot ulcer, if not properly treated can lead to severe infections. At this stage, you may notice fluid or pus leaking from the open wound, giving out a foul odor. This may also be accompanied by pain or swelling of the affected area.
- Cold feet – Poor blood circulation in the feet can cause the feeling of coldness in the affected feet, making it difficult for the patient to move about.
- Increase in blood sugar levels
If any of the above mentioned foot ulcer symptoms are noticed, make sure to seek immediate medical care. With proper diagnosis and right treatment, further complications can be avoided. Proper foot hygiene and care, inspection of the foot on a daily basis, wearing the right shoes and management of minor wounds in the foot can help to prevent the development of foot ulcers.