How is diabetic foot ulcer different in people with diabetes?

Diabetes can damage nerves, reducing the ability to feel heat, pressure, rubbing or a small cut. A person may continue walking on an injured area because it does not hurt. Changes in blood flow can reduce the oxygen and nutrients reaching skin, while high glucose can make it harder for the body to manage infection and repair tissue.

An ulcer may look like a shallow break, blister, callus with a dark spot, drainage or an area of redness. Pain is not a reliable guide to severity. The surrounding skin, warmth, swelling, colour and smell matter, and the wound can worsen beneath a callus or dressing.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for any open area, blister or draining spot on a foot if you have diabetes. Keep the area clean and covered with a suitable dressing, avoid walking barefoot, and reduce pressure on the affected place as advised. Do not cut away a callus, use harsh chemicals, or apply an unprescribed cream.

Check both feet every day, including between the toes and the soles with a mirror if needed. Wear well-fitting footwear and check inside shoes for stones or rough edges. Follow your diabetes treatment plan and tell the clinician about previous ulcers, numbness, smoking, or circulation problems.

Seek same-day care for spreading redness, increasing warmth or swelling, pus, a bad smell, fever, red streaks, black or grey tissue, new numbness, or a rapidly changing wound. Emergency help is needed if you feel severely unwell, confused, faint, or have signs of a serious infection. Because pain may be reduced, visual changes and drainage deserve attention even when the foot feels comfortable.

Ask how deep the ulcer appears, whether you need pressure relief, wound dressings, circulation or nerve checks, and how often it should be reviewed. Discuss footwear, glucose management, infection warning signs and a personalised foot-care plan.