Dark foot blister

[sam0056]

Hello to all people of this forum. I have joined this forum for advice for my mother who is 67 years old and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 3 years ago. On all of her review appointments the Hbac1 readings have been within range and even good. Fast forward to last week and my mother woke in the morning with what seemed like a normal little blister on her foot near the heel but over the next few days it seemed to get larger with a red sort of ring around it. Due to my concerns of her having diabetes and 2 years earlier having suffered from sepsis due to a chest infection i decided to call 111 and they sent out a doctor to check things over. he took a look checked her temprature etc and said it was just a normal blister and there was nothing to worry about it would be gone in a few weeks. Upon asking him if it was diabetes related he asked how the blood sugar control was and when i said it was within range he said he did not think it was related to the diabetes at all. The reason i am asking here is because moving on 3 days from that doctors visit the blister has now turned purple/black looking and i am increasingly worried bu i do not know iff i am worrying un necasarily and this is the normal way a blister heals. I dearly hope someone can advise on this matter and thank you all for reading. I have tried to upload pics but unsure iff it worked.

 

[Tophat1900]

Go see your doctor, that needs to be checked out. I think you'll more then likely find it is related to type2 diabetes. I'd get onto it as soon as I could.Good luck.

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hi Sam, I would definitely get your mother to get it checked out again, asap.
All the best.

 

[Brunneria]

I agree with the others, and will add one further thing - how did your mother get the blister?
Badly fitting footwear?
Rubbing socks?
Hill walking?
Is it a pressure sore?

Whatever the reason, have a good think and take medical advice (or just common sense) on avoiding the same situation happening again.

Wishing your Mum all the best!

 

[sam0056]

Hi and thank you all for the concern and advice. It is very strange she went to bed the previous night without any blisters whatsoever and woke in the morning with that blister which was a normal white blister to start with. The doctor who came out asked the same thing iff it was because of bad fitting shoes or from friction etc but none of those things are the cause it just appeared. Id like to point out she also has peripherel neuropathy in both feet and not much sensation in the toes. The neuropathy is caused from not only diabetes but also her other underlying condition which is Transverse Myelitus which she suffred from about 7 years ago and causes swelling on both sides of the spine and has left her with difficulty in walking and loss of sensation in some parts of the legs and feet. She is considered disabled and cant walk for much longer than 10mins at a time and always wears soft trainers and hasnt worn normal shoes since the diagnosis of diabetes.Hope this can clarify matters thanks.

 

[sam0056]

My sister is going to take her to the A&E in an hour because we cant seem to get another doctor to come out and the nearest next appointment is in 2 weeks.

 

[DCUKMod]

My sister is going to take her to the A&E in an hour because we cant seem to get another doctor to come out and the nearest next appointment is in 2 weeks.

Hi Sam - It'd be good to hear how your Mum got aalong with A&E.

Is your Mum under the care of the NHS podiatry servive? From what you describe, relating to her neuropathy and the underlying Transverse Myelitis, she could well be considerd "at risk". Those considered at risk usually have rapid access to foot care and regular monitoring appointments.

In my area there is also a walk in podiatry clinic for situations, such as your Mums, to have the feet looked at, by a specialist health care professional, on the same day.

Keep us in the loop, please.

 

[sam0056]

Hi just to update everyone my sister and mother have returned from the hospital where they have been advised to make an appointment with the GP when possible and in the mean time just take painkillers. My mum does not feel they have taken things seriously considering the diabetes and i really dont know what more to say about the matter. There is a podiatry clinic where my mother attends to have her nails cut and bunions removed every 6 to 8 weeks but i dont believe you can just walk in and see them there without a prior appointment.

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi just to update everyone my sister and mother have returned from the hospital where they have been advised to make an appointment with the GP when possible and in the mean time just take painkillers. My mum does not feel they have taken things seriously considering the diabetes and i really dont know what more to say about the matter. There is a podiatry clinic where my mother attends to have her nails cut and bunions removed every 6 to 8 weeks but i dont believe you can just walk in and see them there without a prior appointment.

Sam, in your shoes, I'd ensure your Mum saw the Doc asap, but I would also be in touch with the NHS podiatry service asap, and ask for an emergency appointment. They're the foot experts, in my view. But that's what I would do.

We also have a private podiatrist locally here who does free, same day appointments for diabetes patients, in a crisis. Where necessary, a podiatrist cane make an urgent NHS referral, to a consultant, without going via a GP.

Neither I, nor anyone else could possibly diagnose your mother based on your pic, or pic, plus description, but I do know that foot issues should not be treated lightly, and many-fold mores on for those with sensory issues in those areas.

 

[sam0056]

I realize this could be serious and I'm not asking anyone for a diagnosis over the internet this was just an update as to what happened when mum went to the A&E

 

[sam0056]

Further update. Today i went to the nhs Podiatrist clinic where my mother attends to try and get a quick appointment maybe even the same day but that was not forthcoming. The receptionist said nothing available until friday so i accepted and she said if there are any cancellations she would call me, Upon showing her the pictures of the blister and how it looks now she said it was not a blister any more but in fact an ulcer. Later she phoned me back informing me of a cancelation and we could attend on thursday instead. so thats not to far away now hopefully she can now get the attention she requires. I will keep this post updated.

 

[Brunneria]

Thank you for the update.

Many years ago I worked as a part time carer for a wheelchair bound lady with MS.
She had an ulcer on each of the sole of her heels. Caused during a couple of weeks of respite care when they changed her to a different wheelchair.
From what I can remember, the district nurses used to visit regularly to change the dressing, and while they took some time to heal, they did so well, and she had no further problems from them.

I hope that your mother's ulcer heals as well.

Well done for keeping pushing for a diagnosis. Sometimes it feels like we are pushing a boulder uphill, but once someone listens, it makes it all worthwhile.

 

[Diakat]

Hi Sam, well done on pushing this. I wish more people were so active regarding foot issues.

 

[DCUKMod]

@sam0056 - Well done on assuring your Mum is seen as promptlyas you can manage. I would suggest that your longer term objective (notwithstanding getting her ulcer well healed - pun acknowledged) would be to ensure your Mum is considered at risk for her feet. That at risk status is not designed to pick away at anyone's confidence, or make judgements onn their care, but it really does ensure if there is a problem with the person's feet there is no runaround like this time.

Good luck to you all with it, and doplease keep us in the loop.

 

[sam0056]

Thnak you all again for the words of encouragement. Ive taken a look at the ulcer again this morning and it does not seemed to have changed to much from how it looked last night. The reason i try to be very prompt in getting these matters dealt with at the earliest possible convenience is that 3 years ago mum had a urine infection which quickly turned into a kidney infection and resulted in sepsis which im sure you all are aware can be life threatening. She did recover from the sepsis but with residual pain in her legs and with the T2 diabetes and her transverse myelitus condition (causes nerve damage) i feel she is at greater risk of slow healing and infection spreading than the average person so i really do panic when these issues arise. Also to address someones point above i think i need to look into some proper shoes for diabetic people and also some other kind of socks. She currently wears sketchers trainers which appear to be nice and soft but i think they might be a tad bit to narrow at the front so i will look into this. Iff anyone has advise on optimal footwear please advise me as i am open to all ideas.

 

[DCUKMod]

Thnak you all again for the words of encouragement. Ive taken a look at the ulcer again this morning and it does not seemed to have changed to much from how it looked last night. The reason i try to be very prompt in getting these matters dealt with at the earliest possible convenience is that 3 years ago mum had a urine infection which quickly turned into a kidney infection and resulted in sepsis which im sure you all are aware can be life threatening. She did recover from the sepsis but with residual pain in her legs and with the T2 diabetes and her transverse myelitus condition (causes nerve damage) i feel she is at greater risk of slow healing and infection spreading than the average person so i really do panic when these issues arise. Also to address someones point above i think i need to look into some proper shoes for diabetic people and also some other kind of socks. She currently wears sketchers trainers which appear to be nice and soft but i think they might be a tad bit to narrow at the front so i will look into this. Iff anyone has advise on optimal footwear please advise me as i am open to all ideas.

A few months ago, our local diabetes group had a talk from one of our local podiatrists who seems very good. She talked a lot about the issues faced by people with diabetes, and by others. She talked about shoes and specially made inner soles, so it could be really appropriate to talk to the podiatrist, when your Mum see him/her later in the week. I'm sure she could comment on her current footwear and how it might be improved.

Sounds like your looking after your Mum really well. I'm sure she appreciates it.

 

[Fruitella]

Thnak you all again for the words of encouragement. Ive taken a look at the ulcer again this morning and it does not seemed to have changed to much from how it looked last night. The reason i try to be very prompt in getting these matters dealt with at the earliest possible convenience is that 3 years ago mum had a urine infection which quickly turned into a kidney infection and resulted in sepsis which im sure you all are aware can be life threatening. She did recover from the sepsis but with residual pain in her legs and with the T2 diabetes and her transverse myelitus condition (causes nerve damage) i feel she is at greater risk of slow healing and infection spreading than the average person so i really do panic when these issues arise. Also to address someones point above i think i need to look into some proper shoes for diabetic people and also some other kind of socks. She currently wears sketchers trainers which appear to be nice and soft but i think they might be a tad bit to narrow at the front so i will look into this. Iff anyone has advise on optimal footwear please advise me as i am open to all ideas.

Re shoes, have a look at Boulevard shoes. I have a navy pair (EEE) with a front zip and they are wider at the front and have room for an additional insole if needed. I think the style is Kimberley! I got mine at an independent shop but are around online too. Clarks Unstructured (weird name) are very good too. Hope mum's foot improves quickly.

 

[sam0056]

Hi guys thanks for the recommendations re appropriate types of shoes. Tomorrow mum had the appointment with a specialist podiatrist and things should get sorted. I was asked to email the pictures of the ulcer I had taken and she said there didn't seem to be any sign of infection yet so tomorrow hopefully this can be sorted and mum will need to have something called debridement where they cut off the dead skin and let new skin grow back fingers crossed things go well.

 

[sam0056]

Well i took my mother to the Podiatrist today and she identified the what i thought to be an ulcer as a slow healing blister. She has bandaged it up and asked to keep it dry and will remove the bandage in a week to check. I feel much relieved now as i was panicking unnecessarily. She also said it is was just a normal friction blister which got bigger because it went un noticed due to decreased sensation in the foot. Asked if it was diabetes related she did not think that was he case but possibly the healing process was delayed slightly because of a slight restriction in blood flow to the foot but this was normal for many diabetic people.

 

[Robinredbreast]

Well i took my mother to the Podiatrist today and she identified the what i thought to be an ulcer as a slow healing blister. She has bandaged it up and asked to keep it dry and will remove the bandage in a week to check. I feel much relieved now as i was panicking unnecessarily. She also said it is was just a normal friction blister which got bigger because it went un noticed due to decreased sensation in the foot. Asked if it was diabetes related she did not think that was he case but possibly the healing process was delayed slightly because of a slight restriction in blood flow to the foot but this was normal for many diabetic people.

That's good news, I hope your mum makes a good recovery, honestly, nothing diabetes related is really deemed unnecessary. You did all the right things