hi   my uncle  took a callous off his big toe, he developed staph infection and is on antibiotics. If he goes off the medication the hole gets bigger. He is borderline diabetic but the Dr isnt putting him on insulin.  Is the hole not getting better because of the staph and or because he hasnt been given insulin??? He has been dealing with this for a yr and 1/2. HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL DR.S noone has been able to fix this hole in his big toe...last but not least  he has neuropathy of the feet.....   If I had this I would be crying in pain because the hole is big.Frustrated in Green Bay
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor. I understand your concern about your uncles' disease. He is suffering from something called diabetic foot. It is most commonly due to trivial trauma which forms a non-healing ulcer in diabetics. Infections in patients with diabetes are difficult to treat because they have impaired microvascular circulation and most common bacteria causing infection include streptococci and staphylococci. High sugar levels may cause delay in healing. The best way to deal with this would be surgical debridement of the wound, and effective antibiotic treatment till ulcer heals. Blood sugar levels have to be maintained. The doctors have not given him insulin most probably because his sugar levels are in control. I suggest you get in touch with a surgeon and get the ulcer Chat Doctor. Thanks.