What is an ulceration and how can it be treated?
An ulceration or ulcer is usually a painless sore on the bottom of the foot or top of toes which results from excessive pressure at that site. Trauma in the form of heat, cold, shoe pressure, or penetration by a sharp object must all be suspected as potential causes. The trauma or injury that causes most of the problems for diabetics’ feet doesn’t happen all at once, like the injuries that we are most familiar with. Instead, they happen from repeated small injuries, happening over long periods of time; what doctors call “repetitive microinjuries”. Ulcers frequently may form under a pre-existing corn or callus which was permitted to build up too thickly. Neuropathy allows these lesions to develop because the normal warning sense of pain has been lost and they go unrecognized. This would be called a neuropathic ulcer. Continued pressure or walking on the injured skin creates even further damage and the ulcer will worsen. The open sore will frequently become infected and may even penetrat
