Early signs of diabetic foot disease

Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Some early signs of diabetic foot disease include a decrease in skin temperature of both feet, such as constantly feeling coldness in the feet, which indicates insufficient blood supply. Another symptom is peripheral neuropathy, which manifests as numbness or burning in both feet, and unusual sensations like stepping on cotton or feeling like ants are crawling. These are also early signs of diabetic foot disease. Once there is a break in the skin surface, it is crucial to be vigilant as it might be diabetic foot disease. Diabetic foot disease is a very serious condition and one must take early preventive measures. At the slightest sign of any skin break, it is essential to seek proper treatment at a standard hospital.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What are the symptoms of diabetic foot infection?

Symptoms of diabetic foot infections can include localized gradual wound ulceration, suppuration, and odor. In severe cases, patients may observe necrosis of the foot with a dark color. Some patients may experience systemic effects, including fever. Therefore, the progression of diabetic foot can be rapid. It is recommended that diabetic patients seek medical attention promptly when they notice any wound ulceration to prevent worsening of the infection.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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What to eat for diabetic foot?

Typically, patients with diabetic foot have had diabetes for a long period, and often have diabetic nephropathy, or serious hypoproteinemia and malnutrition. In such cases, patients with diabetic foot need to supplement with protein, specifically high-quality protein, and must avoid low-quality protein. What constitutes low-quality protein? This includes soy products and plant proteins. High-quality protein, on the other hand, includes sources like milk, eggs, poultry, and meat. However, if renal insufficiency is present and creatinine levels have increased, the amount of protein must be limited. Protein intake should be calculated based on body weight and creatinine levels, using different coefficients to determine the total daily protein allowance. It is crucial to make these protein adjustments within the framework of a diabetic diet.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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Can diabetic foot be cured?

Diabetic foot can potentially be cured, and it can improve, but it depends on the specific circumstances. Diabetic foot varies in severity and is classified into different levels. In medical terms, it is classified based on its appearance, and different classifications have different prognoses. Even within the same classification, factors like the patient's vascular condition, baseline nutritional status, age, duration of diabetes, and many other factors can influence whether diabetic foot can be cured. In clinical practice, there are many diabetic foot patients who, after comprehensive treatment, achieve complete wound healing. Therefore, whether diabetic foot can be cured depends on many factors.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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Where does diabetic foot hurt?

Diabetic foot refers to those with a history of diabetes who subsequently develop skin ulceration and pus formation on the feet, which can progress to localized gangrene or gangrene of the entire foot. This condition is then termed as diabetic foot. It is usually due to three factors: The first is vascular factors, often accompanied by arterial narrowing in both lower limbs, leading to ischemia and hypoxia. The second is neurological factors, typically accompanied by peripheral neuropathy, causing numbness in both feet and insensitivity to pain, thus often pain is not felt. The third factor involves the presence of an infection. These three factors together make it easy for diabetic foot to develop. Therefore, most patients with diabetic foot do not feel pain. However, if the neuropathy is relatively mild or is a painful neuropathy, these patients may feel pain in their feet or at the site of skin ulceration.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Diabetic foot VSD (Vacuum Sealing Drainage) nursing key points

If you have diabetic foot, it is necessary to check the condition of your feet every day. When washing your feet daily, observe the color and shape of the feet, whether there is any skin damage, and whether there are changes in local color. Secondly, more professionally, you can feel the pulsation of the dorsal artery of the foot to see if it is normal. Third, insist on washing your feet daily to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Be careful that the water temperature for soaking should not be too high, preferably not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and do not soak for more than 30 minutes. Additionally, trimming nails is very important. Do not tear them with your hands to avoid damaging the skin of your feet; use scissors to cut long nails. Another important aspect is shoe wearing. It is best to wear loose-fitting shoes to avoid rubbing against the feet and breaking the skin.