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Contents
  • What Causes Diabetic Foot Infections?
  • Common Symptoms to Watch Out For
  • Who Is Most at Risk?

Why Are Diabetic Foot Infections So Dangerous?

Why Are Diabetic Foot Infections So Dangerous?

The Big Picture

Diabetic foot infections are a serious concern for people with diabetes, often leading to hospitalizations and amputations. Understanding the causes and risks can help in preventing these severe outcomes.
Contents
  • What Causes Diabetic Foot Infections?
  • Common Symptoms to Watch Out For
  • Who Is Most at Risk?

What Causes Diabetic Foot Infections?

Diabetic foot infections usually start when microorganisms invade tissue through a break in the skin. This break is often a diabetic foot ulcer or dry, cracked skin. The infection can spread to deeper tissues, including tendons and bones, due to complications like neuropathy and poor blood circulation.

Common Symptoms to Watch Out For

Symptoms can range from redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness around the ulcer to more severe signs like pus discharge. Some patients might not feel pain due to neuropathy, making it crucial to look for physical signs of infection.
Diabetic foot infections are severe complications in individuals with diabetes, characterized by microbial invasion through skin breaks like ulcers, leading to potential hospitalizations and amputations.

Who Is Most at Risk?

People with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control, neuropathy, or peripheral artery disease are at higher risk. Those with deep or chronic ulcers are especially vulnerable to infections.

FAQs

What are diabetic foot infections?

They are infections in the feet of people with diabetes, often starting from ulcers or cracks in the skin.

What are the common symptoms?

Look for redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and pus around the foot ulcer.

Who is at risk?

People with diabetes, especially those with neuropathy or poor blood circulation.

How can infections be prevented?

By managing blood sugar levels and regularly checking feet for any signs of injury.

Key Takeaways

Diabetic foot infections are preventable with proper care and early detection.
Next steps: Talk to Doctronic about how you can protect your feet if you have diabetes.
Additional References
  1. Caputo GM et al., Assessment and management of foot disease in patients with diabetes, N Engl J Med 1994; 331:854.
  2. Senneville É et al., IWGDF/IDSA guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of diabetes-related foot infections, Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2024; 40:e3687.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.