A Vietnamese man with longstanding diabetes suffered a severe foot infection after soaking his feet in herbal water, highlighting dangers of unproven home remedies and stressing the importance of proper wound care for diabetics.
A 66-year-old man with long-running type 2 diabetes and several other chronic illnesses has undergone a below-knee amputation after a minor foot burn escalated into severe infection, Vietnamese media reported.
According to Bệnh viện Nội tiết Trung ương, the man also had high blood pressure, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. He was admitted with a serious diabetic foot infection after soaking his feet in hot water mixed with green tea leaves in an attempt to ease discomfort.
What began as a small burn about four months earlier developed into widespread tissue death. By the time he reached the hospital, nearly the whole of his left foot had been affected, with blackened toes, infection extending into the sole and heel, and foul-smelling pus. Doctors also found pneumonia, severe anaemia and chronic kidney disease at stage IIIb, all of which made treatment more difficult.
Specialists judged him to be at high risk of bloodstream infection, septic shock and death. After a multidisciplinary consultation, surgeons removed the lower third of his left leg to stop the infection spreading further. He was then transferred to intensive care, where his vital signs were reported as stable and the stump was being closely monitored.
Medical experts say the case is a stark warning for people with diabetes, particularly those with nerve damage in their feet, which can reduce or remove sensation and make burns, cuts and sores easy to miss. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says about half of people with diabetes develop nerve damage in the feet, while the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases both stress that poor blood sugar control, weak circulation and foot ulcers can raise the risk of amputation.
ThS.BS Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, deputy head of the foot care department at the hospital, warned against using folk remedies or unproven home treatments such as hot foot soaks or herbal applications. He said even a small wound can become an entry point for infection in a person with diabetes, making early medical assessment, proper wound care and daily foot checks essential.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
