Diabetic ulcers are very common, but very serious. Diabetic ulcers are commonly caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can cause your feet to become numb and with numb feet, comes injury. A person with numb feeling feet will not notice a rock in their shoe leading to cut which can quickly turn into an ulcer for a diabetic. In addition, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) will reduce blood flow to the extremities like the legs, feet and hands.
A diabetic ulcer may start small, but can turn much more serious very quickly. For a diabetic, a small cut can progress into a bone infection very quickly. With a combination of the neuropathy and PAD, an ulcer can be very hard to heal. A person, especially a diabetic should never try to treat an ulcer on their own. If you or a loved one have an ulcer, you should speak to a doctor.
