Types

• Arterial ulcers are located on the heels, toe tips, in between toes or where protruding bones may rub against an outside source, like a sock or shoe. Neurotrophic ulcers are usually located on the pressure points on the bottoms of feet.
  
  

Effects

• People with arterial ulcer infections will feel a lot of pain, especially at night when feet rub against bed sheets. A neurotrophic ulcer infection isn't as painful because there is usually nerve damage in the feet, causing a loss of sensation in the foot.
  
  

Features

• The base of an arterial ulcer is yellow, brown, gray or black. Neurotrophic ulcers have red or black bases depending on circulation.
  
  

Risk of Infection

• Infection may cause redness and swelling around an arterial ulcer. Neurotrophic ulcers are at higher risk for infection because of a person's inability to feel cracking or calluses on his or her feet.
  
  

Treatment

• A doctor will use topical wound care medications and compression garments to treat foot ulcers in addition to antibiotics to treat any infections that are present.