Diabetic foot: photo initial stage

The term diabetic foot characterizes the condition of the feet of a patient with diabetes mellitus. At the beginning of the disease the body can cope with the problem manifestations of this syndrome independently. But patients with experience are pursued complications of this manifestation of the disease. Both nerve endings and peripheral blood vessels are affected. In severe cases, serious treatment, and even amputation, may be required.

Diabetic foot initial stage

Diagnosis of the onset of diabetes at the onset of the disease canbased on visual examination of the limbs. At this stage, swelling of the soft tissues is observed, due to fluid accumulation.

Joints are affected, especially those that are subject to heavy loads, often joints of the thumb. Cases of fractures of a bone of a foot are frequent. Also in places of the most intense load, corns and long healing ulcers are formed. The lower part of the foot is covered with deep, inflamed cracks. Diabetic foot is easy to distinguish from healthy. It can be seen in the photo.

Symptoms of

A diabetic patient should periodically perform self-examination of the feet and lower legs. Symptoms that should alert:

• dry skin;
• pain syndrome;
• cracks on the sole;
• change in the normal color of the lower leg;
• corns and cracks;
• fungal lesions;
• presence of ulcers.

If these symptoms are present, then it is necessary to consult an attending physician. He will determine the extent of the lesion and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of

Ischemic form of

If the manifestation of the diabetic foot is caused by an ischemic variant, in which the supply of blood to the legs is disturbed, puffiness and changes in the pigmentation of the skin are especially pronounced.

These patients have a pronounced pain syndrome and fast fatigue under stress. This is caused by the inability of small vessels to perform their function due to damage. This form of lesion of the extremities is diagnosed in 10% who are treated with a foot problem in diabetes mellitus.

Neuropathic form

In 6-7 times more often the disease has complications in the form of a neuropathic form of lesion of feet. With this form, the nerve endings on the peripheral parts of the limb are affected. At the initial stage of manifestation, dryness of the surface of the skin is noted. There are often complaints about a lack or decrease in sensitivity to touch. Flat feet develop and bone fractures occur, even if there were no essential prerequisites for this.

In the early stages the skin is not damaged, but with each subsequent stage the process of expression increases and can be regenerated into gangrenous conditions.

Important! From the onset of the disease to diabetes, a diabetic foot can pass a fairly long period of time. In patients with group I, such a pathology can occur only 7-10 years after the onset of the disease.

Treatment with folk remedies

If the diabetic foot does not have the prerequisites for developing gangrene, then it is possible to apply the treatment with folk remedies. Since with gangrene the only effective surgical intervention in the form of amputation of the affected limb site.

Since this disease can lead to serious consequences, consult a doctor before starting to use folk remedies.

Treatment of folk remedies for this disease is only local. Their action should be clearing and neutralizing. The most effective use of vasodilating herbal collections, whose action is aimed at diluting the blood and improving the microcirculation of small vessels.

Blueberries

It is recommended to eat blueberries. They not only reduce the level of sugar, but also activate all metabolic processes of the body. This contributes to wound healing and stimulation of peripheral nerve endings. In the day you can eat up to 400 g of berries. Supplement the effect of the action of tea drunk, brewed from the leaves of this plant.

Agrimony

Widely used to heal wounds leaves agrimony. In spring and summer time, fresh freshly harvested plant is used, and in other periods a dry mixture can be used. Leaves are applied to the affected foot. Before that, the leg should be thoroughly washed. Change the dressings twice a day.

Carnation oil

In some cases, clove oil can help. Its property to heal wounds helps with diabetic foot. Such oil can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Kefir

Accelerates the healing of wounds by applying to them an ordinary kefir. A small layer of this product is applied to the washed foot. From above you can sprinkle powder, prepared from dried juniper needles. Vitamins and essential oils contained in needles will accelerate the healing process.

Remember! If folk remedies do not have a healing effect on the wound - consult a doctor.

Iodine

For all the positive qualities of iodine, which render wounds for their healing, it is not recommended to apply it at a diabetic foot. Other spirituous tinctures, including greenery, do not function properly.

Ointments

The use of ointments in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is also not recommended. A viscous structure can prevent the outflow of fluid that is released from the wound and serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, it is better not to use them, even if they effectively treat wounds in people who are not diabetic.

Medical treatment

Do not attempt to treat self-developed ulcers. It is necessary to have a regular review of the doctor who will examine the wound and determine the severity of the lesion. Proceeding from this, treatment will be prescribed. Depending on the condition of the wound, with dressings, the medical worker will remove the dead parts from the top of the wound to speed up the healing process.

The most effective are modern materials for the treatment of ulcers in the diabetic foot - these are special bactericidal wipes with absorbency. Their action is aimed at eliminating the action of microbes. Also used are processed sponges made of collagen. They are placed directly in the wound.

Therapeutic treatment is based on compliance with the acceptable level of sugar and pressure. In complicated cases, the doctor prescribes antibiotics after checking the analysis taken from the ulcer. The heavier the condition of the foot, the wider the spectrum of action, the antibiotic is used.

For the removal of pain, a reception is prescribed:

• Analgin;
• Ibuprofen;
• Diclafinac.

To improve blood flow in the affected limb, the treatment is performed:

• Normoven;
• by Aganurine;
• Cardimagnet;
• With pentivsifylline.

Antibiotics

For patients with severe ulcers, antibiotics are used that can fight a wide range of microbes:

• Ceftazilimine;
• Imipenem;
• Ciprofloxacin;
• Levofloxacin.

To accelerate the action of drugs, they are administered parenterally, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This achieves an effective concentration of the drug directly at the site of ulceration.

Prevention of the disease

To prevent or delay the onset of the diabetic foot syndrome, first of all, it is necessary to monitor the overall condition of the patient with diabetes mellitus. For this, mandatory monitoring of the moments of increase in sugar in the blood and taking appropriate measures to reduce it.

It is also recommended:

1. Carrying out general restorative measures, including physical exercise. It is recommended to walk slowly about two hours a day.
2. Obligatory consultation with an endocrinologist.
3. Refusal from bad habits, in particular from smoking.
4. Monitor yourself for the condition of the foot and, if there is a deviation, immediately begin treatment.
5. Do not delay the initiation of treatment of foot and nail fungus diseases.
6. Wear cotton socks only.
7. Wear only leather shoes. It should not fit snugly to the leg, so as not to injure it.

Foot care should be done daily. This is the mandatory examination and washing of the feet with warm water using baby soap. You can use a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Please note !Water for washing feet should not be hot!

After washing, the feet should be thoroughly dried. But do not rub the skin with a towel, just pat them with a dry soft napkin, especially between your fingers and support your feet for a while without shoes. Legs can be lubricated with a thin layer of antibacterial cream.

Nails to cut must be very carefully, so as not to injure the skin. The cut of the nail should be straight. If vision is not sufficient, then it is better to ask relatives to do this.

Warning! Do not self-medicate when corns, cracks or corns occur and observe hygiene principles.

Protect your feet from getting on them a fungal infection from an infected person: Do not go barefoot in public places, do not wear someone else's shoes and socks. Do not visit public baths.