What causes a person with diabetes sores not to heal quickly as a person without diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus affects every single organ system. The circulating level of blood glucose is too high, this is called hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemic patients are at increased risk of infection because of decreased effective circulation and the bacteria that cause infection thrive on the high levels of blood glucose. The bacteria use the glucose as food.

Diabetic patients are instructed to take extra care of their skin and feet because if they sustain even the smallest of injuries (cuts,abrasions) their bodies will not heal normally because of the high levels of circulating blood sugar(glucose).

This is so critical that diabetics are instructed not to trim their own toenails, rather they should regularly visit a podiatrist (foot doctor) to get the nails trimmed.

The good news is that with proper nutrition, exercise, and medical follow-up diabetes mellitus is easily controlled.