Foot wounds range from a small puncture to a large ulcer, but the risk of infection is always there. Properly caring for a foot wound decreases the risk of infection and other complications. Still, you should be on the lookout for worrisome symptoms.
If you have a foot wound, visit the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico's urgent care center in Roswell, New Mexico.
At our facility, Dr. David Ball and Dr. Omar Osmani provide outstanding care and treatment for orthopedic injuries and foot problems, such as chronic or infected wounds.
Foot wounds vary in size, shape, location, and severity. They can appear in young and older patients for various reasons, such as an injury or wearing tight shoes.
Some people, including those with neuropathy or diabetes, are more likely to get foot wounds. Neuropathy causes nerve damage, making it difficult to feel an injury or pain in the legs and feet.
Diabetes and high blood sugar levels cause neuropathy and blood vessel damage. Both conditions make foot wounds more likely and less likely to heal properly. In fact, infections happen in 40% of diabetic foot ulcers.
Foot wounds also happen from sports and traumatic injuries. They can also occur from repeated friction, sometimes from poor-fitting shoes. Certain foot conditions or an abnormal shape also make foot wounds more likely.
Many foot wounds are mild to moderate and heal independently with home care. However, people with diabetes, neuropathy, or circulatory problems are at an increased risk for infection and should know the symptoms.
An infection occurs when bacteria enter a foot wound and begin destroying the tissues. Without treatment, it can spread to other parts of the foot, leg, and body, becoming a dangerous health problem.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of an infected foot wound is crucial. It helps you know when to come in for treatment to prevent worsening infection. Four prevalent symptoms of an infection include:
An infected foot wound may appear red or discolored, especially as the infection worsens or spreads. Red streaking is also noticeable with cellulitis as the bacteria move into other tissues.
The body’s response to an infection is inflammation, a common occurrence with foot wounds. The swelling will not go away and may be painful. Your skin will appear shiny, and the swelling may be localized or spread throughout the foot.
Drainage from the wound is another sign of an infection. The drainage may be transparent or cloudy and may have a foul smell. Drainage with other signs like fever, redness, and swelling indicates a wound infection.
The inflammatory process from an infection often makes the surrounding skin red and warm. If you have pain, color changes, and the skin is warm to the touch, you're likely dealing with an infected foot wound.
Never ignore signs of an infection; doing so can worsen symptoms, spread the infection, and cause other serious complications. If you think your foot wound may be infected, seek treatment immediately.
People living with diabetes need to check their feet often to find wounds that could potentially become infected. Diabetes affects the nerves and circulatory system, making it difficult for the wound to receive the nutrients it requires to heal.
Noticing signs of an infection should trigger you to make an appointment with our team. We evaluate your wound and symptoms to determine the appropriate treatment plan. Minor infections require home care and topical antibiotics, while severe infections may require:
Depending on the type of infection and your overall health, severe infections may require surgery. They sometimes require multiple visits and treatments to manage appropriately.
If you have a wound infection, call our Roswell, New Mexico office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ball or to stop by our urgent care facility. You may also request an appointment on our website.
