Sepsis, Foot Wounds and Poor Circulation

The answer is sepsis. Today is World Sepsis Day. Sepsis happens when the body's response to infection starts damaging its own tissues and organs. Globally, sepsis affects about 49 million people each year and is linked to around 11 million deaths, making it one of the world's major health problems.

These are some of the warning signs: confusion, severe shivering or fever, passing very little urine, breathlessness, mottled or discoloured skin, or someone suddenly becoming much more unwell.

As a vascular surgeon, one infection source I worry about is the foot, especially in someone with diabetes, kidney disease, a smoking history or poor circulation. A small wound can become dangerous if infection spreads. Additional warning signs include severe pain, pus, black skin, or someone generally becoming much more unwell. In diabetes, pain can be misleading. Nerve damage means a serious foot infection may not hurt nearly as much as it should.

The vascular point is this. Infection plus poor blood flow is a dangerous combination. Antibiotics and dressings may not be enough if the wound is not getting enough blood to heal. So if a foot wound is getting worse, especially in someone with diabetes or known circulation problems, get it assessed early. The question is not just: is this infected? The question is also: is there enough blood flow for this to heal?