What is the difference between diabetic foot and fish eye, their symptoms and effective treatment methods They are two common problems that many people suffer from, as each of them is a different condition from the other Fish eye is a skin problem that usually appears on the soles of the feet, while diabetic foot is a serious disease that occurs to diabetics and causes damage to the nerves and blood vessels. We will present the difference between each of them in terms of symptoms, causes and treatment methods.
What is diabetic foot
Diabetic foot is a group of complications that affect the feet as a result of uncontrolled diabetes. These complications damage the nerves and blood vessels, leading to loss of sensation in wounds, poor blood flow, and an increased risk of ulcers and gangrene.
What is fish eye
Fish eye is a common skin problem that appears as a hard, rough skin bump that usually appears on the soles of the feet. It causes pain and itching and affects the aesthetic appearance of the feet.
Symptoms of diabetic foot and fish eye
Symptoms of diabetic foot include:
- Tingling or pins and needles in the bottom of the foot.
- An unpleasant odor from an open wound.
- The foot may be cold or hotter than normal.
- Hair loss on the feet or legs.
- Foot sweating.
- Wounds and burns may not heal.
Symptoms of fish eye vary depending on the severity of the condition and include:
- Small, rough skin bumps on the soles of the feet, usually on the heels or under the toes.
- Small black dots.
- The skin may become hard and thickened.
- Discomfort or severe pain when pressure is applied to the affected area.
- Pain when walking or standing for long periods.
- Irritation in the affected area.
Causes of Diabetic Foot
The main causes of diabetic foot include:
- Diabetic neuropathy, where high blood sugar levels damage the sensory nerves, resulting in reduced sensation of pain and heat in the feet.
- Poor circulation, where diabetes causes narrowing and damage of the peripheral blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the feet.
- The foot is more susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections due to a weakened immune system caused by high blood sugar.
What are the causes of fish eye
One of the main causes of fish eye is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the body through small cuts or scrapes, leading to abnormal cell growth in the affected area.
There are factors that increase the risk of fish eye, including cuts and scrapes, a humid environment, a weakened immune system, and sharing personal items with others.
Factors that increase the risk of diabetic foot
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as tight shoes, can cause pressure and ulcers in the feet.
- Walking barefoot can lead to wounds and injuries that cause loss of sensation.
- High cholesterol and triglycerides.
- High blood pressure is a risk factor for vascular disease.
- Foot deformities can increase pressure on certain areas.
- Smoking reduces blood flow to the feet.
What is the difference between diabetic foot and fish eye
Diabetic foot is a serious condition affecting diabetics. It involves damage to the nerves and blood vessels, leading to open sores and a foul odor. Fish eye is a small, rough viral skin growth on the soles of the feet caused by repeated pressure or friction.
How does diabetes affect the foot
Diabetes can cause nerve damage in any part of the body, but nerve damage most commonly affects the feet and legs, a condition known as diabetic foot.
Diabetic foot is a common complication of diabetes and may be the most serious. Diabetic foot ulcers affect 4-10% of diabetics, and are most common in older adults.
Diabetic foot treatment
Treatment of diabetic foot involves controlling blood sugar levels. The treating physician may prescribe:
- Antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infections.
- Treatment of vascular problems with medications that increase blood flow, such as anticoagulants.
- In advanced cases, doctors may resort to removing dead tissue or performing surgeries to dilate blood vessels.
- Wound cleaning and dressing.
- Importance of quitting smoking.
Methods for diabetic foot care
- Clean and dry the feet thoroughly, focusing on the area between the toes.
- Apply moisturizing cream to the skin to prevent cracking and avoid applying it between the toes.
- Take care of your nails and inform your doctor of any problems.
- Wear comfortable, wide shoes to prevent injuries and wounds.
How to treat fish eye
There are medical and home remedies for treating fish eye, including:
- Immunotherapy by injecting the fish eye with antigens to stimulate the immune system to attack the virus. Minor surgery to remove the wart.
- Cryotherapy.
- Laser therapy to burn blood vessels and destroy infected tissue.
- Electrocautery.
Home remedies for treating fish eye include:
Use salicylic acid, available at pharmacies, as it dissolves the outer layer of the fish eye. A garlic clove can be crushed and applied to the affected area, then covered with gauze.
Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area, as it has antimicrobial properties.
Summary of the difference between diabetic foot and fish eye
The main difference is that diabetic foot is a condition associated with diabetes that involves damage to blood vessels and nerves.
While fish eye is a viral skin infection that appears as a small, rough bump on the sole of the foot resulting from repeated pressure or friction.