Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
A podiatrist, a doctor who treats foot problems, often treats diabetic foot ulcers. A primary care doctor or an endocrinologist, a doctor who treats diabetes, can help you manage your blood sugar. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are diabetic foot ulcers?
A diabetic foot ulcer is a foot sore that can happen when you have diabetes. An ulcer is an open sore. Foot ulcers are a common reason for hospital stays for people with diabetes. An ulcer may take weeks or even several months to heal.
Symptoms
Diabetic ulcers are often painless because feeling in the feet is decreased. A blister may go unnoticed and get worse. For this reason, check your feet every day, even if they feel fine.
Signs that an ulcer may be infected include the following. Contact your provider right away if you have any of them:
- Redness, increased warmth, or swelling around the wound.
- Extra drainage or pus.
- A bad smell from the wound.
- Fever or chills.
- More pain than before.
- The skin around the wound feels firmer.
Causes and who gets it
Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This damage can cause numbness and reduced feeling, so your feet are more likely to get injured. Damaged blood vessels can also cause poor blood flow, so an infected wound may not heal well. Foot ulcers are also partly caused by too much pressure on one part of your foot.
About half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage. These things raise the risk of nerve damage:
- Blood sugar levels that are hard to manage.
- Having diabetes for a long time.
- Being older than 40 years.
- High blood pressure.
Smoking also reduces blood flow to the feet.
How doctors diagnose it
Regular exams with your provider are the best way to find out if diabetes puts you at higher risk of foot ulcers. Your provider should check how well you can feel, using a tool called a monofilament. Your foot pulses will also be checked. You should see your foot doctor every year, or more often if you have nerve damage.
Treatment
Follow your provider's instructions on how to treat an ulcer. One way to treat an ulcer is debridement, which removes dead skin and tissue. Never try to do this yourself. A provider, such as a podiatrist, needs to do it so it does not make the injury worse. Wounds that are pale, purple, or black are less likely to heal.
Taking pressure off the ulcer helps speed healing. Your provider may ask you to wear special shoes, a brace, or a special cast. You may need crutches or a wheelchair until the ulcer has healed. Even a few minutes of pressure on a healing ulcer can undo the healing so far.
Your provider may use different kinds of dressings. Keep the ulcer clean and bandaged, and keep the dressing and nearby skin dry. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and stop smoking.
Gangrene means the muscle, skin, and other tissues start to die. If you have gangrene or a foot ulcer that does not get better with treatment, you may need an amputation. An amputation is surgery to cut off a damaged toe, foot, or part of the leg. It may prevent a bad infection from spreading and could save your life.
When to see a doctor
Serious foot problems can develop quickly. See your health care provider right away if you notice:
- A cut, blister, or bruise on your feet that does not start to heal in a few days.
- Red, warm, or painful skin on your feet.
- A callus with dried blood inside.
- A foot infection that becomes black and smells bad, which could be gangrene.
- A foot ulcer that is very white, blue, or black.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have an infected foot wound and also faint, feel confused, or have trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can check your feet at each visit and help you keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. They can also refer you to a podiatrist when you need one.
Common questions
Do diabetic foot ulcers hurt?
Often they do not. Reduced feeling in the feet can hide the pain, so check your feet every day.
How long does a diabetic foot ulcer take to heal?
It may take weeks or even several months to heal.
Can I treat a diabetic foot ulcer at home?
No, you should follow your provider's instructions on how to treat the ulcer. Never try to remove dead tissue yourself.
Can diabetic foot ulcers be prevented?
Yes, most people with diabetes can prevent serious foot problems. Keep your blood sugar in your target range, check your feet every day, and never go barefoot.
Can a diabetic foot ulcer lead to amputation?
Yes, it sometimes can. Checking your feet every day helps you catch problems early, and early treatment greatly lowers your risk of amputation.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Diabetes - foot ulcers
- MedlinePlus - Diabetic Foot
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Your Feet and Diabetes
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
