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Finding “Hot Spots” on your feet may help avoid ulcers
1/21/2008 12:00:00 AM
Recent studies suggest a “Hot Spot” on the foot may signal inflammation and a potential future ulcer. Researchers at the Chicago Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science tested Veterans with diabetes and found there was a slight increase in temperature (minimum of 4-degree difference), that occurred days before skin breakdown on the foot. When the thermometer showed a hot spot, the patients put their feet up for a day or so until the temperature normalized. An ulcer on the diabetic foot is often very slow-healing and may lead to infection of the tissue and bone. It is thought that ulcers cause most of the roughly 80,000 amputations of toes, feet and lower legs in persons with diabetes. By using a thermometer patients were able to detect a slight temperature change and take the necessary precautions. This important research will most likely lead to thermometers specifically designed for testing your feet. For more information visit the American Diabetes association web-site at www.diabetes.org
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