We often hear that diabetics need to “inspect their feet everyday”… but is it really necessary? How many people with diabetes really suffer from complications like the loss of sensation in their feet, diabetic foot ulcers, gangrene, and life-threatening infections? Aren’t amputations a thing of the past, given the advances in modern science? The makers of a UV shoe sanitizing device have compiled a few pertinent statistics that illustrate just what a serious issue diabetic foot health is.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Statistics
Did you know…
– Up to 25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer.
– More than half of all foot ulcers will become infected and require hospitalization.
– One diabetic foot ulcer costs $8,000 to treat — or $17,000 if it has become infected.
Statistics on Diabetes-Related Amputations
Initial treatment for diabetic foot infections includes debridement and antibiotics, but amputation is an option for more advanced wounds. Consider this:
– 1 in 5 diabetic foot infections requires amputation.
– 80% of the 120,000 non-traumatic amputations performed in America each year are related to diabetes.
– Every 30 seconds someone in the world loses a lower limb to diabetes.
– After undergoing a major amputation, 50% of patients will undergo a second limb amputation within 2 years.
Diabetes Feet & Mortality
It’s scary to think about, but people with serious infections and amputated limbs are significantly more likely to die in the near future. Researchers have found:
– The relative five-year mortality rate following limb amputation is 68%.
– People who have a history of diabetic foot ulcers are 40% more likely to die within 10 years than people with diabetes alone.
How to Prevent Diabetic Foot Infections with UV Light
Attacking the problem of diabetic foot infections and all the risks that come along with them requires a multi-faceted approach. Yes, you must conduct daily foot exams to ensure that you do not have any cuts, wounds, ingrown nails, blisters, or rashes that could turn into an infection or non-healing wound. You should also make friends with a local podiatrist who can conduct annual foot exams in a more professional setting. Also, purchasing and maintaining good footwear is crucial to offloading pressure from your feet and preventing the formation of wounds. That is another area where a foot doctor can help.
Secondly, you must prevent infection by limiting your contact with harmful microbes. Bacteria, fungi, and life-threatening viruses are everywhere in our environment. A SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer is designed to eliminate up to 99.9% of the pathogens in your footwear in just 45 minutes. Use daily for best results! Our podiatrist-recommended device uses ultraviolet sanitization, just like hospitals and water treatment plants use. We have sold more than 50,000 of these UV light devices to doctor’s offices and diabetic patients to help stop the spread of infection. Buy one online and enjoy a 30-day risk-free trial. If you’re not 100% satisfied, we’ll give you a full refund, no questions asked. Our product is also recommended as one of the preventative measures for toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and shoe odor.