Watch Out for Foot Ulcers

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Watch Out for Foot Ulcers
December 13, 2008
LifeScript

You know about stomach ulcers, but foot ulcers? That’s right: You can get an ulcer on your foot. Some diabetics, both type 1 and type 2, encounter painful, red sores shaped like a crater that ooze pus and emit a foul-smelling discharge. Foot ulcers occur in high-pressure areas, most commonly found on the bottom or side of the big toe and on the ball of the foot, especially under the big toe joint. The break in the skin can be very small, but a larger ulcer may be hidden from view under a surrounding callus or under skin. Foot complications are among the most frequent reasons for hospitalization in patients with diabetes. Whether you spend your day planted in a chair or padding around town, inspect your feet daily for red sores or breaks in the skin. Consult a physician immediately if you suspect you have a foot ulcer. Untreated foot ulcers can lead to lower extremity amputation.