Since diabetic ulcers often occur on the foot, pain can usually be felt while walking or standing. Wounds that come from diabetic ulcers may look like craters and can leak if they become infected. While the signs of a diabetic ulcer may seem obvious, but to many, they are not.
Diabetic ulcers can be complicated by poor circulation. When the blood does not properly circulate throughout the body, the effects can vary from mild to severe. One problem that can commonly occur with diabetes is the loss of sensation created from poor blood circulation. When the foot becomes desensitized to pain, detecting a diabetic ulcer can be much more difficult.
Poor circulation can also slow the healing process of a foot wound. While some scars may heal without treatment, diabetic ulcers are more likely to become infected. When this happens, the wound may look slightly different from a regular skin ulcer.
An infected diabetic ulcer can create symptoms such as swelling, an elevated skin temperature when touched, and pain. Pus, a foul odor, and other “secondary wound” signs are also common in a diabetic ulcer infection.