Hi, thank you for the question. You should bring him to the clinic for evaluation of the wound. It is a good effort that you guys are taking good care of him. Your father is having foot ulcer, it can be due to the constant pressure on the feet, poor blood supply or problems in the nerve. It is important to know that diabetes mellitus is long term diseases that can affect the blood vessels and nerves.

Hypertension and high lipid level can also cause damage to the blood vessels in the long term. Since your father has been having these three conditions for 7 years, there is quite likely some hidden damage to the blood vessels or nerves. In a patient like him, patient may complain numbness or coldness of the feet due to these damages. It is most likely to be diabetic foot ulcer in your father’s case.

It is a common complications of diabetes mellitus. Since there is numbness of feet, your father may not feel the pain from the scratch,cuts or wounds of the feet. With poor blood supply to the wound itself, they are very hard to heal and slowly may grow in size, becoming an ulcer. It is very likely to be infected as these wounds do not have good blood supply.

If the wound is infected, treating with anti-septic and bandages will not cure the wound. If it is left untreated, the infection may get into the bloodstream and causes serious complications. Therefore, bring him to the clinic to be seen by healthcare providers. They can help to clean the wound properly and you may need several follow ups to complete the treatment. Hope your question is answered and have a good day !!!