Foot ulcers have become common in today’s life. People spend their entire day in formals busy in their office chores. Thus, moisture, dirt, and germs remain captured in the feet. In addition to that, the lack of a healthy lifestyle leads to diseases such as diabetes which deteriorate the body slowly. Lack of proper foot care and these common diseases sometimes lead to ulcers. However, it’s important to know to identify the type and kind of ulcers. The most common ulcers seen in the foot region include diabetic ulcers and pressure ulcers.
Diabetic Ulcer vs Pressure Ulcer
The main difference between diabetic ulcer and pressure ulcer is that diabetic ulcer occurs mainly in the foot region. In contrast, pressure ulcers can be found in any region of the body with bony projections. Moreover, in diabetic ulcers, the affected part of the skin turns black, whereas, in pressure ulcers, the affected part turns red. The other symptoms of diabetic ulcers include odorous discharge and numbness of the affected region. On the other hand, pressure ulcers eat away the skin, thereby leading to the outward projection of bones.
Diabetic ulcers are generally seen in diabetes patients where the nerves get weakened, leading to neuropathy. The black discoloration of some regions of one or both feet followed by swelling and odorous discharge are the symptoms of diabetic ulcers. Timely treatment involving proper foot care, hygiene, and blood sugar levels is essential for faster healing and fewer inflections.
Pressure ulcers generally develop when some parts or regions of the body get pressurized, leading to the insufficient blood supply. In such cases, the nerves may even die. Besides pressure, deposition of moisture and friction between feet and toes are common reasons for pressure ulcers. Although these ulcers appear similar to diabetic ulcers, they are different from them in symptoms. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of pressure ulcers are also different. If left untreated, these ulcers will eat away the skin, thereby exposing the bones of the affected region.
Comparison Table Between Diabetic Ulcer and Pressure Ulcer
| Parameters Of Comparison | Diabetic Ulcer | Pressure Ulcer |
| Definition | A diabetic ulcer refers to the ulcer or open wound which occurs at the bottom portion of the feet of diabetic patients. | A pressure ulcer, also known as bedsore, refers to the tissues and cells which get damaged due to a prolonged insufficient supply of blood to a body part. |
| Affected organ | Diabetic ulcers are mainly noticed in the foot region. | Pressure ulcers can be found on any part of the body where bony projections are present such as hips. |
| Symptoms | The symptoms of diabetic ulcers include:Black discoloration of the skin of the affected region.Swelling, pain, irritation, numbness, and odorous discharge around the affected region. | The symptoms of pressure ulcers include:Reddish coloration and warmth around the affected region.Formation of blistersErosion of the skin in extreme layers leads to the visibility of bones. |
| Causes | The causes of diabetic ulcers include:Poor blood circulationHigh levels of blood sugar, i.e., hyperglycemiaWounds or irritation in feet.Nerve damage | The causes of pressure ulcers include:External pressure on the foot.Friction between blood vessels.Shear and tear of the skin.Deposition of moisture in the intricate regions. |
| Risk factors | The risk factors for patients with diabetes include:Usage of low-quality shoes.Maintenance of poor hygiene.Increase in consumption of alcoholObesity and other underlying health problems such as health and kidney problems. | The factors which increase the chances of pressure ulcers include:Elderly and aged people.Underlying health problems where the person is bedridden. |
What is Diabetic Ulcer?
Open wounds and sores, most commonly found in the feet of diabetic patients, are known as diabetic ulcers. These ulcers can further lead to infections. When left untreated, complicated situations involving amputation of the affected feet may also arise. Diabetes patients who are regularly dependent on insulin, or are overweight, or have any other heart, kidney, or such serious disease are at more risk of developing diabetic ulcers.
Besides these, diabetes patients who are addicted to alcohol and tobacco may also develop diabetic ulcers. Improper blood circulation to the feet, underlying foot deformities, and lack of proper foot care and hygiene leads to diabetic ulcers in the foot. People affected with diabetes for a long time have neuropathy due to improper supply of blood to the affected region. These conditions also trigger the chances of diabetic ulcers.
These diabetic ulcers should be immediately treated with proper podiatric medical care on the diagnosis. The proper treatment would involve faster healing which implies fewer chances of infection. During the treatment, the patient should avoid overloading the affected region. Moreover, keeping the affected region clean by regular dressing is essential. Moreover, the patient should also manage his blood sugar levels well. With the proper treatment of diabetic ulcers, the chances of amputations and further infection decreases.
What is Pressure Ulcer?
Regions of cells and tissues that get damaged due to prolonged pressing of skin over bone for a significantly longer time are known as pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores and decubitus ulcers, are seen mostly in bedridden patients. Patients who are on bed rest or sit in a wheelchair for long periods generally have an insufficient distribution of blood to some parts of the body. This leads to the development of pressure ulcers.
In the initial stages, these pressure ulcers only affect the topmost covering layers of the skin with symptoms including pain and itching. These ulcers even attack ligaments, tissues, and muscles in extreme cases when the sores are too big and deep. In such severe cases, the reddish coloration of the skin followed by erosion of skin layers is also noticed. Sometimes, the muscles and skin covering the affected region gets eroded, leading to the visibility of bones.
Persons above the age of 70 years with dry skin, unhealthy lifestyle, low BMI, physical restraints, smoking, and drinking habits are at higher risk of developing pressure ulcers. The treatment involves debridement of the ulcer along with dead tissues. Furthermore, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to stop the growth of infection. In some severe cases, the doctor may also prescribe special footwear.
Main Differences Between Diabetic Ulcer and Pressure Ulcer
- Diabetic ulcers refer to the ulcers or open wounds which occur at the bottom portion of the feet of diabetic patients. On the other hand, pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, refer to the tissues and cells which get damaged due to a prolonged insufficient supply of blood to a body part.
- Diabetic ulcers are mainly noticed in the foot region. Whereas pressure ulcers can be found on any body part where bony projections are present such as hips.
- The symptoms of diabetic ulcers include black discoloration of the skin of the affected region, swelling, pain, irritation, numbness, and odorous discharge around the affected region. On the other hand, The symptoms of pressure ulcers include reddish coloration and warmth around the affected region, formation of blisters, and erosion of the skin in extreme layers leading to the visibility of bones.
- The causes of diabetic ulcers include poor blood circulation, high blood sugar levels i.e., hyperglycemia, wounds or irritation in feet, and nerve damage. Whereas, The causes of pressure ulcers include external pressure on the foot, friction between blood vessels, shear and tear of the skin, and deposition of moisture in the intricate regions.
- The risk factors for patients with diabetes include the usage of low-quality shoes, maintenance of poor hygiene, increase in consumption of alcohol, obesity, and other underlying health problems such as health and kidney problems. But, The factors which increase the chances of pressure ulcers include elderly and aged people and underlying health problems where the person is bedridden.
Conclusion
Legs are one of the most vital parts of the body. They act as the supporting staff to the body, thereby bearing their entire weight. Any injuries or infections to the legs or the feet can cripple us forever. Thus, it’s highly necessary to take proper care of the feet and legs. In the long run, these minor diseases can also lead to amputation of legs. Moreover, it’s wisest to consult the doctor at the earliest on noticing any discomfort or other visible symptoms. Early treatment and diagnosis can reduce the chances of further infections, thereby preventing complications.
References
- https://aacnjournals.org/ajcconline/article-abstract/4/5/361/6110
- https://journals.lww.com/aswcjournal/fulltext/2007/01000/certification_and_education__do_they_affect.12.aspx