For diabetics, why does a tiny scratch on a toe or a finger not heal?

Question

… and is very likely to progress to gangrene and eventually an amputation.

PS: This has happened to a loved one.

In: 18

Answer 1

A few reasons.

First, diabetes damages the nerves in the hands and feet, so people with bad diabetes can’t always feel when they get a cut. When you don’t know you have a cut, you don’t take proper precautions, like washing the cut, covering it, and keeping it clean, so it’s more likely to get infected.

Also, diabetes does a number on your blood vessels. Normally, when you get an injury, your body sends white blood cells and “healing fluids” to the cut to fight off any invading germs and promote healing. When your blood vessels are damaged, that process is much less effective.

The combination of increased risk of infection and decreased ability to heal from that infection can lead to tissue death and ultimately amputation.