Foot Infection Treatment

Open sores on the sides or bottoms of your feet are not to be taken lightly and should be examined right away by a podiatrist. The experienced podiatrists at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care specialize in the treatment of infections and ulcers of the foot and ankle and are proud to help patients in the Tristate area recover from these debilitating foot injuries.

Types of Foot Infections and Foot Ulcers

Among the types of foot ulcers and infections requiring immediate medical treatment are:

• Neurotrophic ulcers, which affect people with diabetes or severe nerve damage in their lower extremities. While they may occur anywhere on the foot, these ulcers most often form over pressure points.
• Venous statis ulcers, which tend to develop among people with varicose veins, blood clots, or recurrent leg swelling. These ulcers typically develop on the inner part of the leg just above the ankle.
• Arterial ulcers develop as the result of poor circulation or peripheral artery disease. They commonly form on the heels, tips of toes, and between the toes where the toes rub.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

At Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care, diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common conditions we see and treat. People with diabetes are at increased risk for developing foot infections and ulcers in the feet because of complications like diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and peripheral artery disease (poor circulation), both of which may be caused by years of high blood sugar levels.

Nerve damage can cause you to lose sensation and feeling in your feet, so that you do not feel pain or notice problems such as foot calluses or cracks in the skin. Poor circulation makes it more difficult for wounds and ulcers to heal.

If you have diabetes, it’s imperative to check your feet at home on a regular basis and visit a podiatrist for routine examinations to prevent diabetic ulcers. If you do notice a foot ulcer, you should seek care immediately.

The longer the infection goes untreated, the more likely it will spread until the foot or lower leg needs to be amputated. Treatment will usually involve intensive wound care to stem the infection and heal the ulcer.

If you need comprehensive foot infection treatment and relief for ulcers in the foot and ankle, the surgeons at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care can help get you back on your feet in no time. To schedule a consultation, contact us at any of our locations in the Cincinnati area or use our convenient online form to request an appointment.