Warning Signs

The changes that mean you should contact us immediately.

Diabetic foot problems can move quickly. Because nerve damage can mask pain, you can't rely on how it feels – you have to act on what you see. Knowing the warning signs means you get help while a problem is still easy to treat.

schedule Same day

Contact us the same day if you notice

healing A new cut, blister, crack or sore that won't heal.

local_fire_department Redness, warmth or swelling in any part of the foot.

invert_colors Skin that turns dark, blue or black.

water_drop Any discharge, pus or a bad smell from a wound.

trending_up A wound that is getting larger or more painful.

emergency Do not wait

Seek urgent care if you also have

thermostat Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell with a foot wound.

ac_unit Sudden severe pain, or a foot that becomes cold and pale.

radar Rapidly spreading redness.

Call +91 832 050 0350 straight away.

When in doubt, send us a photo of your foot on WhatsApp. It is always better to check early than to wait.

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Diabetic Foot Complications to Know

High blood sugar damages the nerves and the blood vessels in your feet, and that is what turns a small injury into a serious problem. These four complications account for most limb loss in diabetes. Recognised early, nearly all of them can be controlled before the foot is at risk.

dangerous

Gangrene

Tissue begins to die once infection or a loss of blood supply cuts it off. The skin turns black or purple and wounds stop healing altogether. Gangrene can spread quickly, and once tissue is dead it cannot be brought back – which is why it is the complication most likely to cost a toe or a foot.

bloodtype

Peripheral Artery Disease

Narrowed arteries reduce the blood reaching the foot. It feels cold, the colour changes, and wounds heal very slowly because the blood carrying oxygen and antibiotics cannot get there. A wound that will not close often has a circulation problem behind it rather than a dressing problem.

personal_injury

Charcot Foot

The bones of the foot weaken and can collapse, changing its shape. The foot looks red, swollen and feels warm – often with little or no pain, which is exactly why it is so often mistaken for an infection and treated too late. Early offloading protects the shape of the foot.

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Diabetic Neuropathy

Nerve damage causes tingling, burning or numbness. The real danger is that injuries stop being felt: a blister, a stone left in the shoe or a burn from hot water can become an ulcer before you notice anything is wrong.

Contact a doctor immediately if:

• A wound is not healing • The skin is starting to turn black • An infection appears to be spreading • There is redness, swelling, pus or warmth

Infection in a diabetic foot can spread within hours, and in advanced cases amputation becomes unavoidable. Treated early, that outcome is usually preventable – see your nearest OPD centre.

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Have a concern about your feet?

Send us a photo on WhatsApp or book a consultation with Dr. Ashutosh Shah.

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