16.png)
6 Min Read
People with diabetes need to pay close attention to their feet. High blood sugar can damage nerves and reduce blood flow to the extremities of the body, which makes even small injuries slow to heal. Recognising early diabetic foot ulcer symptoms is necessary to prevent infection and serious complications. In this blog, you will learn why diabetes leads to ulcers, what the common signs and symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers are, and when to seek medical help.
Synopsis
What Is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?
A diabetic foot ulcer usually starts as a tiny cut or blister but gets worse and turns into a deep wound if ignored. Since nerve damage decreases sensation in the feet, pain may not be felt until the ulcer becomes much worse.
Why Diabetes Predisposes to Foot Ulcers
Diabetes affects the feet in many ways. Over time, high sugar levels harm the nerves, reduce blood flow, and also make the skin weaker and cause loss of sensation. Because of these changes, even a small cut or blister can take much longer to heal and can become an ulcer if ignored.
Here are three reasons that mainly cause blisters to develop:
-
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): When nerves in the feet are damaged, they stop sending the sensory signals to the brain. You may not feel pain, heat, or pressure the way you should. Because of this, small injuries often go unnoticed since you won’t feel them. By the time you notice redness or swelling, an ulcer may already be forming.
-
Poor Circulation: High sugar levels can also make the blood vessels in your legs and feet narrower. With less oxygen and nutrients reaching the skin, wounds heal slowly. The condition also increases the chance of infection if bacteria enter the area.
-
Slow Healing and Other Causes: Raised glucose levels interfere with how the body repairs itself. Dry skin, calluses, or foot deformities like bunions and hammertoes add pressure and friction in certain areas. Together, these problems make the diabetic foot more delicate, and even small daily injuries can become difficult to heal.
Types and classifications of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers in diabetes can form for different reasons. Some start because of nerve damage, while others come from poor blood flow. In many people, both problems exist together. Knowing the type helps the doctor choose the right treatment and stop the wound from getting worse.
Main Types of Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
-
Neuropathic ulcers: These happen when nerve damage reduces feeling in the feet. A person may not notice small injuries or pressure from shoes. Ulcers usually form on the soles or under the toes where the skin faces constant friction.
-
Ischemic ulcers: These occur when poor circulation limits blood supply to the feet. The area may feel cold and appear pale or bluish. Healing takes longer because the tissues do not get enough oxygen.
-
Neuro-ischemic ulcers: This type is a mix of both. There is nerve damage along with poor blood flow. These wounds are more painful, easily infected, and difficult to heal
Wagner Classification (Severity Scale)
Recognising the type and stage early helps prevent serious complications. Doctors use this scale to describe how deep or serious an ulcer is:
-
Grade 0: Skin at risk, no open wound.
-
Grade 1–2: Shallow or deeper ulcers but no bone infection.
-
Grade 3–5: Severe ulcers with infection or gangrene.
Early Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Diabetic foot ulcers often start small. A tiny blister or a patch of dry skin can quickly turn into something serious if not noticed in time. Even if there is no pain, especially in those with neuropathy, any small injury on a diabetic foot deserves medical attention before it worsens. Paying attention to the early signs can help stop an ulcer before it develops.
-
Visible Skin Changes: Look for small cuts, cracks, or sores that do not heal within a few days. Thick calluses, blisters, or areas of redness can also be warning signs. Dark or discoloured skin, especially around the toes or heel, means the area is not getting enough blood.
-
Changes in Sensation: Many people feel tingling, burning, or “pins and needles” in their feet. Some may lose the ability to feel touch or temperature completely. This numbness makes it easy to miss a wound or infection. Most commonly people experience that they can't feel their footwear.
-
Temperature and Swelling: If one foot feels warmer or looks swollen compared to the other, it could mean inflammation or infection.
-
Infection Signs: Discharge, pus, a foul smell, or bleeding from any wound should never be ignored. These are signs that bacteria have entered the tissue.
Conclusion
For anyone with diabetes, caring for their feet should become a daily habit. Even a small cut or blister can turn serious if ignored. Check your feet every day for swelling, redness, or any sore that isn’t healing. Wash them gently, dry them well, and wear shoes that don’t rub or pinch.
If you see discharge, warmth, or color changes, visit a doctor without delay. At Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, our specialist team helps manage wounds early and prevent infection. Quick action and regular care can go a long way in keeping your feet healthy.
FAQ's
Early diabetic foot ulcer symptoms include small cuts or blisters that don’t heal, redness, swelling, or changes in skin color. Some people also notice dry, cracked skin or calluses that turn into open sores. If you have numbness or tingling in your feet, check them daily for any hidden wounds.
No. Many people with nerve damage feel little or no pain even when a wound forms. This phenomenon makes diabetic ulcer symptoms harder to notice. Regular foot checks are important to catch ulcers before they get infected.
The main signs and symptoms of diabetic foot ulcer infection include pus, bleeding, a foul smell, or warmth around the wound. The skin may appear red, shiny, or swollen. Fever or chills can mean the infection is spreading and needs urgent care.
Watch for any sores that don’t heal, discoloration, or thickened skin around the toes or heel. Loss of feeling, tingling, or coldness in the feet are also key diabetic ulcer on foot symptoms to monitor.
It is advisable to consult a doctor promptly if you notice any open wounds, swelling, or fluid discharge from your foot. The earlier diabetic foot ulcer symptoms are treated, the better the chance of healing without complications and the lower the risk of leg loss.
Share this article on:
15.png)
.webp "Persistent Low-Grade Fever in Adults")
14.png)
