What do Rotten Feet Look Like?
Rotten feet refers to an advanced infection or dying skin and tissues on the feet. This condition generally develops in people with long-term, poorly managed diabetes. Ignoring foot problems like cuts, sores or fungal infections can cause them to proliferate in people with high blood sugar and poor circulation.
Common Symptoms of Rotten Feet
Some early signs of festering or dead skin on the feet include:
- Numbness in the feet or legs
- Tingling or burning sensations
- Changes in foot temperature or color
- Blistering, cracks, calluses
- Thick or discolored toenails
As the condition advances, rotten feet may also exhibit:
- Skin or tissue that appears black or purple
- Draining pus or other fluids
- Noticeable wounds that won't heal
- Foul odors from infected wounds
- Changes in foot shape or bone structure
What Causes Feet to Rot?
Several factors play a role in the development of rotten or dying tissues in the feet including:
Neuropathy from Diabetes
Chronically high blood sugar levels damage nerve endings, particularly in the lower legs and feet. This neuropathy causes decreased sensation so injuries or changes go unnoticed.
Poor Circulation
Diabetes and high cholesterol also slowly restrict blood flow through arteries and tiny capillaries that supply the feet.
Repeat Injuries or Irritation
With numbness and inadequate blood supply, minor scrapes, cuts or pressure can progress to non-healing lesions or problematic thick calluses prone to cracking open.
Bacterial or Fungal Infection
Fungus and bacteria thrive in the warm, dark environment inside shoes and socks. Cracks in thick calluses become the perfect entry point. Poor circulation hampers the body's ability to heal itself or fight infection.
What Do Rotten Feet Look Like in Images & Pictures?
Photos of rotten feet show the visible skin and tissue damage they cause. Discoloration, wounds, peeling and foul discharge are some key features.
Black Feet
A loss of healthy pink tissue leads to black, purple or brown dying skin, indicating reduced blood supply. There may also be yellow discharge or scaly plaques.
Peeling Skin
Thick calluses eventually split open once infection sets in underneath. As deeper tissues die off, the top layers can peel away exposing raw tissue underneath.
Skin Ulcers
Blisters, lesions and sores that form may leak fluid or bleeding and struggle to heal due to poor circulation and nerve damage.
Misshapen Feet
As bones lose blood supply, problems like Charcot foot can alter structural alignment leading to deformities like arch collapse.
Missing Toes or Limbs
In severe, neglected cases, dying tissue may need surgical removal including partial foot or toe amputation to stop spreading damage.
Can You Reverse Rotting Feet?
The prognosis depends on how soon treatment begins:
Early Intervention Improves Outcomes
Catching damage while still mild or moderate focuses on removing infection, improving blood flow, and monitoring for changes. This can resolve many non-healing wounds.
Severe Tissue Death Needs Aggressive Treatment
Those with black, smelly feet with oozing sores likely have deep tissue death. Unfortunately, much of this damage cannot be reversed, only removed through debridement or amputation.
Prevention Is Critical
The key is diagnosing nerve issues and circulation problems early to make fixes before small problems progress to infected, dead tissue. This relies heavily on blood sugar control.
Treatments for Rotten Feet and Legs
Treatment targets both fixing current damage and preventing its recurrence through better diabetes management. Options include:
Wound Care
Cleaning, bandaging, offloading pressure, and infection control helps stabilize wounds for healing.
Medications
Antibiotics treat infections while supplements improve nerve and blood vessel health.
Blood Sugar Control
Getting high blood sugar down prevents further nerve, artery and tissue deterioration.
Surgery
Removal of irreversibly damaged, infected or gangrenous tissue tries to stop spreading to viable areas.
Preventing Recurrence of Rotten Feet
After treatment for rotten feet, preventing their recurrence requires diligence with:
Daily Foot Checks
Self-exams pinpoint emerging problems early when they are most treatable.
Controlling Blood Sugar
Keep levels stabilized through medications, diet and exercise to protect nerves and circulation.
Good Foot Hygiene
Wash and thoroughly dry feet well, wear clean, dry socks, apply medicated powders.
Proper Footwear
Cushioned shoes that fit well avoid injury and rubbing that opens the door to infection.
Routine Medical Care
Seeing a podiatrist regularly spots any subtle changes needing intervention.
When to See a Doctor About Your Feet
Consult a podiatrist promptly for:
- Any foot ulcer, blister, cut or swelling lasting over 48 hours
- Discolored, numb, tingling or painful feet
- Thick calluses especially with fissures or black spots
- Changes in foot odor or excess moisture between toes
- Extra sensitivity to heat or cold
- Altered gait from emerging deformity
Never ignore or self-treat advancing foot problems on your own. Catching issues while still mild and healable is key to preventing tissue death from infection or uncontrolled diabetes.
Takeaways
Photos of rotten feet showcase severe consequences of neuropathy, poor circulation and repeat injury in diabetics. But most cases can be avoided through attentive foot care, routine exams and proper blood sugar control. Treatment aims to both resolve current wounds while managing the underlying diabetes to prevent recurrence long term.
FAQs
Can I reverse mild foot rot on my own?
Do not attempt to self-treat spreading infection or dying skin on your feet. Even changes that may seem minor can quickly become limb threatening without proper medical treatment.
How do doctors test for poor circulation in the feet?
Simple in-office scans called doppler tests check blood flow in the arteries and veins. More advanced imaging like CT, MRI or angiography may be used for surgical planning if circulation is very damaged.
Can I just get my rotten parts of my foot cut off?
Removal of dead tissue, toes and parts of the foot may be necessary with spreading gangrene. But preventing that through early treatment of infections and managing diabetes is always preferable.
If my feet look fine, could nerve damage still be happening?
Yes, neuropathy and circulatory damage often shows no visible signs in the beginning. That's why routine checks and bloodwork are vital to catch issues before tissue starts dying from uncontrolled diabetes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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