Look after your feet
Discussion
Type 2 diabetic.
2 weeks ago on holiday in Spain I noticed a small blister on my middle toe.
The blister had torn so taking no chances went to the medical. Centre 3 times to have it dressed. Back last Wednesday and had 2podiatrist appointments since then.
Now lying in the Royal London ahead of an operation tomorrow to remove the toe.
These things change fast. See you tomorrow when I've only got 9. And a local anesthetic!!!!!!
2 weeks ago on holiday in Spain I noticed a small blister on my middle toe.
The blister had torn so taking no chances went to the medical. Centre 3 times to have it dressed. Back last Wednesday and had 2podiatrist appointments since then.
Now lying in the Royal London ahead of an operation tomorrow to remove the toe.
These things change fast. See you tomorrow when I've only got 9. And a local anesthetic!!!!!!
Really sorry to hear that and I hope it's all gone OK. You did the right thing getting it seen to quickly, but unfortunately it wasn't enough this time.
T2D peripheral neuropathy is a b
h. So many of neighbours have similar issues with varying degrees of lower limb amputation as a consequence.
T2D peripheral neuropathy is a b
h. So many of neighbours have similar issues with varying degrees of lower limb amputation as a consequence.Apologies for my ignorance but is this a specific issue for diabetics? That a simple blister can lead to amputation? is it the same with any cut on the foot or lower limb?
After all non diabetic people get blisters all the time with no harm done the vast majority of times, never heard of anyone seeing a Dr with a blister.
After all non diabetic people get blisters all the time with no harm done the vast majority of times, never heard of anyone seeing a Dr with a blister.
Yes, sadly. Aiui, damage to peripheral nerves from the corrosive effects of elevated blood sugar means that in the event of injury the immune system doesn't get the required signal to jump into action. What looks like an innocuous injury can quickly turn nasty and amputation becomes necessary.
Feet and lower limbs are commonly affected being that much further from the heart and consequently suffering poorer blood flow and greater damage than other areas of the body.
T2 diabetics with damaged nerves have to be really careful to avoid lower limb injury.
Feet and lower limbs are commonly affected being that much further from the heart and consequently suffering poorer blood flow and greater damage than other areas of the body.
T2 diabetics with damaged nerves have to be really careful to avoid lower limb injury.
Thanks Jagnet for good explanation. My grandfather, although a great sportsman in his youth and very slim, got diabetes in later life and was on the cusp of having to have both legs amputated. he died of a heart attack just prior to the operation. I know very little about the disease except that everything I have heard about it leads me to believe we should all follow a diet/exercise regime to avoid it like the plague.
It's a nasty business and it's becoming ever more common. The stats around it are really quite disturbing.John Yudkin was bang on the money when he wrote Pure, White and Deadly back in 1972.
Sadly he was mocked, vilified and "cancelled" because Ancel Keys was convinced that it was all about fat.
jagnet said:
It's a nasty business and it's becoming ever more common. The stats around it are really quite disturbing.John Yudkin was bang on the money when he wrote Pure, White and Deadly back in 1972.
Sadly he was mocked, vilified and "cancelled" because Ancel Keys was convinced that it was all about fat.
It's easily done unfortunately.
About a year after I was diagnosed T2, I went to a football match with my brother in law. He's much younger and I'd been off the booze since diagnosis in a bid to lose weight, needless to say I was wkered.
With all the walking about I managed to get a blister on my toe, did all the things you aren't supposed to do, burst it, put cream on it etc and it started to look a bit gross, eventually I went to MIU when it refused to improve after a few days, the irish nurse there read me the riot act. I had an infection and they marked the line of infection on my leg, gave me antibiotics and cleaned up the toe which was in a right state, thankfully it eventually healed but I've been careful ever since, I wont forget that nurse!
About a year after I was diagnosed T2, I went to a football match with my brother in law. He's much younger and I'd been off the booze since diagnosis in a bid to lose weight, needless to say I was w
kered.With all the walking about I managed to get a blister on my toe, did all the things you aren't supposed to do, burst it, put cream on it etc and it started to look a bit gross, eventually I went to MIU when it refused to improve after a few days, the irish nurse there read me the riot act. I had an infection and they marked the line of infection on my leg, gave me antibiotics and cleaned up the toe which was in a right state, thankfully it eventually healed but I've been careful ever since, I wont forget that nurse!
As someone with lower limb injuries which are slow to heal, I've found these products useful.
I had a 1.5cm open blister in my leg which hadn't healed at all in a week. I applied this (let it dry) and overnight it had visibly shrunk. I leaves a plastic-like film. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001DYR15O/ref...
Similarly useful https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FDB4F9C/ref...
A friend who's T2 recently complained of pins and needles in his feet and his Dr suggested taking Vit B12. But I imagine that's common knowledge.
I had a 1.5cm open blister in my leg which hadn't healed at all in a week. I applied this (let it dry) and overnight it had visibly shrunk. I leaves a plastic-like film. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001DYR15O/ref...
Similarly useful https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FDB4F9C/ref...
A friend who's T2 recently complained of pins and needles in his feet and his Dr suggested taking Vit B12. But I imagine that's common knowledge.
MikeStroud said:
jagnet said:
It's a nasty business and it's becoming ever more common. The stats around it are really quite disturbing.John Yudkin was bang on the money when he wrote Pure, White and Deadly back in 1972.
Sadly he was mocked, vilified and "cancelled" because Ancel Keys was convinced that it was all about fat.
Our diets should be that of a chimp, but they aren't which is one of the reasons why T2B is so prevalent.
10% of the NHS budget goes on treating it, yet most people have never heard of it or know about it.
There should be an ad campaign about it really to make people aware.
Silverthorn - how did it go? Did they amputate and stitch the wound or have they left it open?
In March I had big toe, second toe and the ball of my foot removed. Left open with a 4in x 1in hole. It’s been 6 months now, it’s starting to close but they reckon I’ve still got 3/4 months to. Wasn’t painful at first but as it’s closing it seems to be getting worse. Had a bout of sepsis from it which almost saw me off but I’m still fighting.
In March I had big toe, second toe and the ball of my foot removed. Left open with a 4in x 1in hole. It’s been 6 months now, it’s starting to close but they reckon I’ve still got 3/4 months to. Wasn’t painful at first but as it’s closing it seems to be getting worse. Had a bout of sepsis from it which almost saw me off but I’m still fighting.
Wow, that must be awful.
They took the whole toe and I got home yesterday. They cut a V into my foot to get the bone out. its been left open and is currently attached to a vacuum pump to aid healing.
They stuff the wound with sponge Nd then form an airtight seL. I have the pump with me a d running 24/7. I've been told to expect a 3 month healing time. Very little pain to be honest, just glad to be out of hospital but back once a week to see the podiatry team who were excellent.
Wish you well chum and can only imagine what it feels like.
They took the whole toe and I got home yesterday. They cut a V into my foot to get the bone out. its been left open and is currently attached to a vacuum pump to aid healing.
They stuff the wound with sponge Nd then form an airtight seL. I have the pump with me a d running 24/7. I've been told to expect a 3 month healing time. Very little pain to be honest, just glad to be out of hospital but back once a week to see the podiatry team who were excellent.
Wish you well chum and can only imagine what it feels like.
Have you got a PECO (or is it a Pico) or a full negative pressure device. I had one of the latter on a large and deep surgical wound on my thigh. It completely closed the wound in 6 weeks. I’d be surprised if it takes that long. If you’ve got granulation tissue in the wound that’s a great sign of healing.
Worst bit is when you see a nurses fingers disappear into the wound to clean it out though you do get used to it.
Worst bit is when you see a nurses fingers disappear into the wound to clean it out though you do get used to it.
silverthorn2151 said:
Type 2 diabetic.
2 weeks ago on holiday in Spain I noticed a small blister on my middle toe.
The blister had torn so taking no chances went to the medical. Centre 3 times to have it dressed. Back last Wednesday and had 2podiatrist appointments since then.
Now lying in the Royal London ahead of an operation tomorrow to remove the toe.
These things change fast. See you tomorrow when I've only got 9. And a local anesthetic!!!!!!
How did this happen exactly (out of interest)?2 weeks ago on holiday in Spain I noticed a small blister on my middle toe.
The blister had torn so taking no chances went to the medical. Centre 3 times to have it dressed. Back last Wednesday and had 2podiatrist appointments since then.
Now lying in the Royal London ahead of an operation tomorrow to remove the toe.
These things change fast. See you tomorrow when I've only got 9. And a local anesthetic!!!!!!
You didn't know you were T2D, you did and ignored it or what?
Edited by Evoluzione on Sunday 18th September 20:37
Slightly long response but happy to share as it may help others.
Been T2D for many years now, insulin and tablets and well controlled but damage was done years ago when, like so many, I didn't take it so seriously. I also experienced a diabetic related toe under 12 months ago.
This started as a small blister at the end of my 3rd toe. I have been very aware of foot care for some time now and check and moisturise each day. I had worn sandals all holiday apart from the night before when I wore trainers and socks to walk 300m to a restaurant. Got back and had a late night swim when we got back to the apartment.
Next morning noticed the blister and was at the medical centre 2 hours later having it cleaned and dressed. Had that done 3 days in the 5 days we had left and kept it dry throughout.
Got back Wed morning. Saw podiatrist on Thursday morning who said it had become an ulcer. He took tissue samples and dressed it. Went for an x-ray on the Friday.
Had another podiatrist appointment on the Monday and as soon as she removed the dressing said straight to A and E. Wednesday it was amputated with gangrene.
And here we are now!
By coincidence we were on holiday about 6 weeks ago and met a couple whose husband had a painful toe he thought bruised. Was looked at by the team physios (we were supporting our sons at a sports event) and they sent him to A and E. Turned out he was T2D and didn't know, sugars were massively high (so he must have been feeling like st). We missed seeing him for the rest of the championship [European box lacrosse, playing for England] and it turns out the infection had spread so far that the immediate amputation of his big toe hadn't caught it and he was going to lose his foot and possibly leg below the knee. He thought he had stubbed it at work as a plumber.
Hence the thread title!
Been T2D for many years now, insulin and tablets and well controlled but damage was done years ago when, like so many, I didn't take it so seriously. I also experienced a diabetic related toe under 12 months ago.
This started as a small blister at the end of my 3rd toe. I have been very aware of foot care for some time now and check and moisturise each day. I had worn sandals all holiday apart from the night before when I wore trainers and socks to walk 300m to a restaurant. Got back and had a late night swim when we got back to the apartment.
Next morning noticed the blister and was at the medical centre 2 hours later having it cleaned and dressed. Had that done 3 days in the 5 days we had left and kept it dry throughout.
Got back Wed morning. Saw podiatrist on Thursday morning who said it had become an ulcer. He took tissue samples and dressed it. Went for an x-ray on the Friday.
Had another podiatrist appointment on the Monday and as soon as she removed the dressing said straight to A and E. Wednesday it was amputated with gangrene.
And here we are now!
By coincidence we were on holiday about 6 weeks ago and met a couple whose husband had a painful toe he thought bruised. Was looked at by the team physios (we were supporting our sons at a sports event) and they sent him to A and E. Turned out he was T2D and didn't know, sugars were massively high (so he must have been feeling like s
t). We missed seeing him for the rest of the championship [European box lacrosse, playing for England] and it turns out the infection had spread so far that the immediate amputation of his big toe hadn't caught it and he was going to lose his foot and possibly leg below the knee. He thought he had stubbed it at work as a plumber.Hence the thread title!
It’s the lack of a healthy blood supply that does it. Even a minor injury might not heal and that festers and spreads. I had a bypass from groin to mid calf which probably saved me lower leg below knee. Weird side effect was I’d not had much hair on my leg for years to see it regrowing was weird.
If anyone is interested I can post some rather horrible photos of my black toes and the amputation wound but this is how the whole thing started off:
Well actual,y that one is a few weeks on fron what was just a small black dot on the top of the toe.
If anyone is interested I can post some rather horrible photos of my black toes and the amputation wound but this is how the whole thing started off:
Well actual,y that one is a few weeks on fron what was just a small black dot on the top of the toe.
I had a similar story over the summer. I had a burst blister then went into a swimming pool. A few days later my foot and leg started hurting then went red and swelled up to twice the size. Admitted to hospital with suspected DVT which was later revised to cellulitis. Fk load of antibiotics and it took around a month to return to normal.
I’m much more careful with cuts and blisters nowadays.
I’m much more careful with cuts and blisters nowadays.
silverthorn2151 said:
Slightly long response but happy to share as it may help others.
Been T2D for many years now, insulin and tablets and well controlled but damage was done years ago when, like so many, I didn't take it so seriously. I also experienced a diabetic related toe under 12 months ago.
This started as a small blister at the end of my 3rd toe. I have been very aware of foot care for some time now and check and moisturise each day. I had worn sandals all holiday apart from the night before when I wore trainers and socks to walk 300m to a restaurant. Got back and had a late night swim when we got back to the apartment.
Next morning noticed the blister and was at the medical centre 2 hours later having it cleaned and dressed. Had that done 3 days in the 5 days we had left and kept it dry throughout.
Got back Wed morning. Saw podiatrist on Thursday morning who said it had become an ulcer. He took tissue samples and dressed it. Went for an x-ray on the Friday.
Had another podiatrist appointment on the Monday and as soon as she removed the dressing said straight to A and E. Wednesday it was amputated with gangrene.
And here we are now!
By coincidence we were on holiday about 6 weeks ago and met a couple whose husband had a painful toe he thought bruised. Was looked at by the team physios (we were supporting our sons at a sports event) and they sent him to A and E. Turned out he was T2D and didn't know, sugars were massively high (so he must have been feeling like st). We missed seeing him for the rest of the championship [European box lacrosse, playing for England] and it turns out the infection had spread so far that the immediate amputation of his big toe hadn't caught it and he was going to lose his foot and possibly leg below the knee. He thought he had stubbed it at work as a plumber.
Hence the thread title!
I might be being completely ignorant here but if your T2 was under control with insulin and tablets how come your toe got bad?Been T2D for many years now, insulin and tablets and well controlled but damage was done years ago when, like so many, I didn't take it so seriously. I also experienced a diabetic related toe under 12 months ago.
This started as a small blister at the end of my 3rd toe. I have been very aware of foot care for some time now and check and moisturise each day. I had worn sandals all holiday apart from the night before when I wore trainers and socks to walk 300m to a restaurant. Got back and had a late night swim when we got back to the apartment.
Next morning noticed the blister and was at the medical centre 2 hours later having it cleaned and dressed. Had that done 3 days in the 5 days we had left and kept it dry throughout.
Got back Wed morning. Saw podiatrist on Thursday morning who said it had become an ulcer. He took tissue samples and dressed it. Went for an x-ray on the Friday.
Had another podiatrist appointment on the Monday and as soon as she removed the dressing said straight to A and E. Wednesday it was amputated with gangrene.
And here we are now!
By coincidence we were on holiday about 6 weeks ago and met a couple whose husband had a painful toe he thought bruised. Was looked at by the team physios (we were supporting our sons at a sports event) and they sent him to A and E. Turned out he was T2D and didn't know, sugars were massively high (so he must have been feeling like s
t). We missed seeing him for the rest of the championship [European box lacrosse, playing for England] and it turns out the infection had spread so far that the immediate amputation of his big toe hadn't caught it and he was going to lose his foot and possibly leg below the knee. He thought he had stubbed it at work as a plumber.Hence the thread title!
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