Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options for Foot Ulcers and Wounds

Foot ulcers generally refer to breaks or wounds in the skin that are slow to heal and are classified in stages according to which of the four layers of skin are broken through.

Causes:

Ulcers occur due to different reasons, so it is very important to determine the underlying medical problem that caused the ulcer. There are essentially four main reasons people get ulcers on the foot:

• Neuropathic: This type of ulcer occurs when a patient has loss of sensation in the feet.
• Arterial: This type of ulcer is due to poor blood flow to the lower extremities.
• Venous: This type of ulcer is due to compromised veins.
• Decubitus: This type of ulcer is caused by excessive prolonged pressure on one area of the foot.

Treatment by a Chiropodist:

Treat the infection; reduce the pressure.

Avoidance:

Daily footcare can prevent serious problems. According to the National Institute of Health, the following are simple, everyday steps that will help prevent serious complications:

• Take care of your diabetes
• Check BOTH your feet every day
• Wash your feet every day
• Trim your toenails each week or when needed
• Wear shoes and socks at all times
• Be active

Learn more about foot ulcers. If you have a wound or ulcer that just won’t heal, don’t wait! See your Chiropodist today – because they care about your feet!