Foot Sores: 5 Diseases That Can Cause Painful Ulcers and Wounds

Foot sores that don’t heal can be a sign of serious health problems. Learn about 5 common diseases that cause painful ulcers and how to spot them early.

Foot sores and ulcers are not only a matter of unpleasant shoes or small injuries; they can sometimes be an indicator of something far more serious taking place in your body. And if you have some slow-healing wounds or sore ulcers on the feet, you must understand what might be behind them. These are five common diseases that can be the cause of the ongoing pain in your feet.

1. Diabetes: The Number One Cause Of Foot Ulcers

Diabetes is one of the major causes of foot sores. High blood sugar again causes damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, which reduces the sensation in your feet and makes them take longer to heal. Many cannot even feel the slightest cuts or blisters until they change to painful ulcers. In case you experience numbness, tingling, or blackened skin, then visit a doctor immediately. Without the appropriate attention, diabetic foot ulcers may get out of control.

2. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Slows Healing / Low Blood Flow

PAD happens when your arteries get clogged with fatty products, decreasing the blood flow to your legs and feet. Even minor injuries will become infected or develop into ulcers without a sufficient amount of oxygen. Among the ordinary effects are chilling feet, shiny skin on your legs and cramping. Quitting smoking, physical activity, and cholesterol management can help a lot to lower your risk.

3. Venous Insufficiency: When Blood Doesn’t Flow Back Properly

In case of weak or damaged veins, blood would fill up at an abnormal location in the legs rather than flow back to the heart- this is termed venous insufficiency. Such pressure may create both swellings, discolouration, and exposed sores in the ankles or calves known as venous ulcers. Symptoms can be relieved by compression stockings and elevating your legs.

4. Infections: Bacterial Or Fungal Wounds That Don’t Heal

The cause is sometimes as simple as a bacterial or fungal infection that causes sores and wounds that are impossible to heal. Red, painful or oozing sores can be caused by athlete’s foot, cellulitis or infected blisters. Wash your feet, dry them and avoid dryness. When it has pus or swelling, do not disregard it; it may require antibiotic treatment.

5. Autoimmune Diseases: The Body Attacks Its Skin

Ulcers before your feet can also be brought about by certain autoimmune diseases, such as **Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. These factors make them inflamed and have perfectly perfused blood flow, making the wound painful recurrently. In cases of aches and pains in joints, lethargy, and rashes among sores, a rheumatologist should be consulted early to make a diagnosis and treatment.

When your sore has not healed in more than two weeks, reddens or swells, or begins to put off odor, then you give your doctor a call. Without treatment, different types of ulcers may result in severe infections and even tissue damage. Do not ever attempt to treat deep wounds in a self-medical manner–have them diagnosed properly first.