In diabetes, your body cannot produce or use insulin effectively, affecting your glucose metabolism and resulting in high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can hamper the body’s ability to heal wounds.

The foot is one of the most common places to get an injury. A small wound can quickly lead to a foot ulcer as wounds heal slowly and progress more quickly. If these foot ulcers are not treated, they can lead to severe complications and lower limb amputation.

Keep reading the article to understand why foot wounds heal slowly.

Reasons For Slow Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

When suffering from diabetes, various factors can affect your body’s ability to heal wounds. Below are some reasons for slow wound healing:

• High blood glucose levels: High blood sugar levels affect the body in different ways. High blood sugar levels may cause your blood vessels to narrow, reducing blood flow to the cells. Reduction in blood flow causes a lack of supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells, thus altering normal cellular functions. Cellular functions of wound healing are affected (wound heals slowly) and may worsen in severe cases.
• Compromised immune system function and increased tendency of infections: People with high blood sugar levels have issues with immune system activation. In diabetes, the body produces enzymes and hormones that cause the immune system to be less effective. Bacteria thrive on the extra sugar available in the blood, leaving you susceptible to the risk of bacterial infection. As the immune system is compromised, wounds heal slowly. If these wounds are left untreated, it may lead to medical complications such as sepsis or gangrene.
• Poor blood circulation: Individuals with abnormal blood sugar levels are highly vulnerable to peripheral vascular diseases. The peripheral vascular disease leads to narrow blood vessels, reducing your blood flow to the limbs. Moreover, a high level of sugar in the blood increases the thickness of the blood, which affects the blood flow further. If the blood flow is reduced, healing is eventually affected.
• Diabetic neuropathy: When diabetes and high blood glucose levels cause nerve damage, it is called diabetic neuropathy. As your nerves are damaged, it makes it harder for you to feel any injury, and the affected area loses sensation without you realizing it. At times, these minor wounds or cuts may lead to a bigger wound or ulcer. To prevent such issues, people with diabetes and high blood glucose levels should inspect their body. They should wear comfortable shoes that do not cause any blisters.