Every person who has diabetes can develop foot ulcers and foot pain if the condition is poorly controlled. Statistics state that about 15% of diabetics will develop diabetic sores, which mostly occur on the feet or lower part of the body. Diabetes is commonly accompanied by high blood pressure, which weakens the cardiovascular system and leads to poor circulation in the legs and feet. Diabetic foot ulcers typically develop slowly and can even stem from a new pair of shoes or a longer than average walk.
Identifying The Symptoms
While the signs of foot ulcers are not always obvious, the most common indication is drainage from a foot ulcer, and a stain on your sock is typically noticeable. There can be unusual swelling, odors, or redness on one or both feet. Other symptoms can include:
- Black tissue (surrounding the ulcer)
- Numbness
- Odorous discharge
- Pain
- Irritation around ulcer
- Redness before ulcer is present
What Are The Causes?
Diabetic foot ulcers are commonly caused by poor blood circulation, where your feet and lower legs don’t receive sufficient blood supply. Most people have difficulty healing the ulcers because of the poor circulation. Shoes that don’t fit right can also cause blisters or irritations on the toes or soles of the feet, which can worsen and become ulcers. Other causes can include:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use
- Cracked feet
- Poor hygiene (not washing or improper trimming of toenails)
- Obesity
Natural Remedies
Pay Attention To Your Feet
If you have diabetes, it is important to conduct daily foot inspections. Catching a sore in the early stages can go a long way in preventing further damage or more serious problems. If you can’t see the bottoms of your feet, put a mirror on the floor and hold each foot over it. It is also beneficial to regularly change socks & shoes, moisturize the feet, and wear comfortable shoes. Additionally, use foot-cleansing products that inhibit bacterial or fungal growth.
Raw Honey
This is probably the most popular remedy for diabetic foot ulcers. Due to its naturally occurring antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, raw honey can be a great topical remedy. There are also germ-fighting elements in honey that can help prevent further infections.
Change Your Diet
If you really want to have a positive impact on your diabetes, you have to be willing to change your diet. Consuming refined sugars, processed foods, dairy products, alcohol, tobacco, meats, and junk foods are not going to help you heal the body. Try focusing on raw fruits and vegetables because they work to improve lymphatic flow, which can help to improve circulation throughout the body.
Use Ozonated Olive Oil
Since foot ulcers lack sufficient circulation, one of the best ways to accelerate the healing process is to deliver oxygen to the wound. A great way to do this is by using ozonated oils, specifically an ozonated olive oil. Research suggests that supplying the wound with oxygen stimulates your skin’s natural ability to heal. It also works to reduce swelling, redness, and the nerves in the area.
Astragalus
Astragalus has been used by various cultures around the world to help remedy a variety of conditions. Upon applying astragalus directly to the foot ulcer, it helps to increase blood flow and accelerate the healing process. A diabetic, who uses this herb, can help overcome microvascular circulation troubles and eliminate the infection.
Psyllium
Both black and blond psyllium have been known to regulate insulin and glucose levels, which is beneficial for those with diabetes. When you help to remedy the side effects of diabetes, you can decrease your risk of developing foot ulcers. Always have psyllium in your medicine cabinet.
Foot tissue is soft, unlike other areas of the body. Infection can quickly spread into the muscle and bone. Combine this with poor blood flow and more serious complications can occur. Don’t ever let an ulcer go untreated because the chances of you remedying it decrease if you don’t act fast.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
