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Suggest Treatment For Swelling And Pain In Leg When Suffering From Diabetes Type2

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2014

Question: I'm diabetic type 2 and legs, ankles and feet are equally red swollen and painful, numb and tingle. Is there any home care or do you have any idea of what I should do? Would like to not go to the doctor
Please advise thank y

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Good day.
Sorry to hear that you have swelling and redness in your legs.

The possibilities are
1.Neuropathy
2.cellulitis
3.Fluid retention.

When did you notice it first ?
Is it painful? (You mentioned that it is numb)
How is your diabetes status?
Any fever?

Any breathing difficulty?
How is your urine output?

For now, I would like to advice you following things.
1.good diabetes control
2.please do not rub or massage the legs.
3.keep the legs elevated while sitting and lying down.
4. Please avoid standing for long time and please avoid hanging your legs when you sit down.use another chair to rest your legs.

I realise that you don't like to go to a hospital but it is extremely important to pinpoint the cause before a proper treatment can be suggested. Do you mind meeting your GP ?

Is it possible for you to take a photo of your legs in good light and attach the photo?

I would appreciate a reply

Kind regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (7 hours later)

Urine output is a bit off normal and legs are painful at times and also feels like needles or burning sometimes. No problems breathing. Diabetes control could be better. The swelling and redness are on both legs and of equal proportion. There has been no fever

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Okay,
With no fever and the swelling and redness being bilateral, it is very unlikely to be due to Cellulitis. The other two possibilities are Neuropathy which can cause color change as well as swelling. The other possibility is fluid retention.

I mentioned about the simple measures to reduce swelling earlier. Restricting the salt in food may also help.

You may need additional tests like neuropathy assessment, Serum albumin, Urine protein, Kidney and liver function tests.

Regards
Binu

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar