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10 Fast facts about foot ulcers

All diabetics know that foot care is really important, but do you know why? Preventing foot ulcers is an essential part of keeping your feet healthy. Here are some great tips.

  1. Foot ulcers are skin ulcers where the skin has broken down under the foot and you can see the tissue underneath it.

  2. Diabetics are at greater risk of foot ulcers because high blood sugar for a long period of time can damage the nerves in the feet, which means you won’t be able to feel pain and might not notice a foot injury.

  3. A diabetic foot ulcer can develop after even the smallest injury, like stepping on a little stone with bare feet. Ulcers are easily infected and can take weeks or even months to heal.

  4. 15% of people with diabetes may develop a foot ulcer.

  5. More than half of all diabetic foot ulcers become infected.

  6. Foot ulcers are the most common reason for diabetics needing to go to hospital.

  7. Luckily, they are also easily prevented: by carefully controlling blood sugar levels to prevent nerve damage.

  8. It is very important to check the feet, including the areas between the toes, for cuts and sores – every day.

  9. Keeping the feet clean and dry is essential – but do not soak them.

  10. Be sure to have your feet checked once a year by a doctor or podiatrist.


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What to read next?

Diabetes and feet- a video: We know that diabetes and feet is one of the things people with diabetes have a lot of questions about. That’s why we asked podiatrist Vuyisile Nkalane to join us for one of our Sweet Life Talks and answer all your questions about diabetes and feet.

What is normal blood sugar? An explanation of what the normal range of blood sugar is, and what people with diabetes can do to achieve those numbers.

10 Fast facts about foot ulcers: Preventing foot ulcers is an essential part of keeping your feet healthy. Here are some great tips.


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Sweet Life is a registered NPO/PBO (220-984) with a single goal: to improve diabetes in South Africa. We are funded by sponsorships and donations from aligned companies and organisations who believe in our work. We only share information that we believe benefits our community. While some of this information is linked to specific brands, it is not an official endorsement of that brand. We believe in empowering people with diabetes to make the best decisions they can, to live a healthy, happy life with diabetes.

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