Do Foot Ulcers Heal on Their Own? What to Know

In most cases, foot ulcers do not heal on their own, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. They usually need prompt medical assessment, off-loading (taking pressure off the area), regular wound care, and management of blood flow, infection, and blood sugar.

Waiting to “see if it closes” is one of the main reasons small sores turn into serious infections and, in the worst cases, amputations.

1. What is a foot ulcer?

A foot ulcer is an open sore that fails to heal normally. The skin – and sometimes deeper tissue – breaks down, exposing raw tissue that’s easily infected. Most ulcers form:

• On the ball of the foot
• On the tips or bottoms of toes
• On the heel or sides of the foot

They’re especially common in people with:

• Diabetes (due to neuropathy and poor circulation)
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Foot deformities, pressure areas, or poorly fitting shoes

Roughly one in four people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their lifetime. Major centres such as Cleveland Clinic describe these ulcers as open sores that tend to come back and are closely linked with nerve damage and circulation problems.

2. Why foot ulcers rarely heal on their own

Superficial cuts and blisters sometimes close up with simple care. A true foot ulcer is different – it’s usually a sign that the body’s healing system is already under strain.

2.1 Underlying problems block healing

Common issues that stop an ulcer from healing include:

• Loss of protective sensation (neuropathy) – you don’t feel pain, so pressure and friction continue to damage the area.
• Poor blood flow from PAD – less oxygen and nutrients reach the wound.
• Ongoing pressure from standing, walking, or tight shoes – tissue keeps being crushed faster than it can repair, so the sore stays open.
• High blood sugar – slows white-blood-cell function and collagen production, so repair is sluggish.
• Infection – bacteria colonise the open wound, further delaying healing.

Unless these root causes are addressed, the ulcer tends to persist or slowly worsen.

2.2 Healing time is measured in months, not days

Even with proper care, diabetic and neuropathic foot ulcers often take weeks to months to heal. Healing typically requires:

• Repeated visits for debridement and assessment
• Ongoing off-loading
• Carefully chosen dressings and infection control

If you’ve noticed other sores on your lower legs that seem to linger, we cover common reasons wounds heal slowly and when to worry in a separate guide to long-lasting leg wounds.

3. What happens if you just wait?

3.1 Infection and deep tissue damage

An open ulcer is a doorway for bacteria. If untreated, infection can spread into:

• The soft tissues (cellulitis)
• Tendons and joints
• Bone (osteomyelitis)

Warning signs of infection include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, bad smell or pus, or feeling unwell.

We go into more detail about what these warning signs look like in everyday life in our overview of early signs of foot infection.

3.2 Higher risk of amputation

Statistics from large centres are sobering:

• Up to 14–24% of people with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer will ultimately require some level of amputation.
• Around 85% of diabetes-related amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer that failed to heal or became infected.

Delays in seeking care are a key risk factor – ulcers that might have been manageable early become limb-threatening problems later.

Large reviews have found similar patterns worldwide: most lower-leg amputations in people with diabetes begin with a foot ulcer that fails to heal. Mayo Clinic notes that an ulcer that does not heal can damage deeper tissue and bone and ultimately require amputation.

4. When a foot ulcer might look like it’s healing (but isn’t)

People sometimes assume an ulcer is “healing on its own” because:

• It doesn’t hurt (common with neuropathy).
• The surface dries up or forms a scab.
• The area looks a bit smaller for a few days.

However, warning signs that it is not truly healing include:

• Hard, thick callus building up around the edge
• The base looking pale, dry, or yellow/grey instead of healthy pink granulation tissue
• No meaningful change in size after 2–4 weeks
• Repeated reopening after you walk or wear shoes

Guidelines often consider a foot ulcer that fails to reduce by about 50% in 4 weeks despite care as non-healing and in need of reassessment.

5. What effective treatment usually involves

The good news: with prompt, structured care many ulcers do heal and the risk of amputation can be dramatically reduced. Typical components of treatment include:

5.1 Professional assessment

A podiatrist, wound-care nurse, or physician will typically:

• Examine the size, depth, and location of the ulcer
• Check blood flow (pulses, Doppler, ankle–brachial index, and so on)
• Test sensation and look for deformities or pressure points
• Look for signs of infection; sometimes order blood tests or imaging

5.2 Off-loading (taking pressure off)

For plantar (bottom-of-foot) ulcers, guidelines make off-loading the top priority. Options can include:

• Non-removable knee-high devices (such as total contact casts)
• Removable boots or specialized shoes
• Crutches or wheelchairs in severe cases

Without off-loading, every step re-injures the tissue and healing stalls.

5.3 Wound bed preparation and dressings

Specialist care often includes:

• Debridement – removing dead or callused tissue so healthy tissue can grow
• Moist wound care with modern dressings (foams, hydrogels, hydrocolloids, etc.) instead of letting the wound “dry out”
• Appropriate infection management (topical or systemic antibiotics when needed)

Dressings are chosen based on depth, drainage level, and the risk of infection – there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

FRESINIDER Silicone Foam Dressing

Soft silicone contact layer · Cushioned foam core · Water-resistant border

• Designed to gently contact the skin while minimizing trauma when the dressing is changed.
• Cushioned foam core helps manage mild to moderate exudate and protects fragile tissue from shoe pressure.
• Water-resistant border helps seal out dirt and moisture while still allowing the skin to breathe.
• Use as part of a wound-care plan recommended by your clinician for suitable foot wounds or healing ulcers.

Learn More

5.4 Optimising the whole person

Healing also depends on addressing overall health:

• Tightening blood sugar control
• Improving blood flow when possible (treating PAD)
• Stopping smoking
• Addressing nutrition, swelling, and other medical conditions

6. How long does it take for a foot ulcer to heal?

There’s no single timeframe, but generally:

• Small, superficial ulcers may heal in several weeks with good off-loading and care.
• Deeper or infected ulcers often take months.
• Some ulcers fail to heal until circulation is improved or surgery is performed.

If your ulcer looks the same (or worse) after a few weeks, that’s a sign that the current approach isn’t enough.

7. When is a foot ulcer an emergency?

Seek urgent care or emergency attention if you notice:

• Rapidly spreading redness or swelling in the foot
• Fever, chills, or feeling very unwell
• Black, blue, or very pale skin near the ulcer
• A foul odour or large amount of pus
• Sudden, severe pain (or, in neuropathy, a warm, swollen foot with little pain)

These signs can indicate deep infection or critical limb ischaemia, both of which are medical emergencies.

8. What you can safely do at home (while you’re getting help)

Home care doesn’t replace professional treatment, but it plays an important supporting role.

You can:

• Inspect your feet every day (top, bottom, and between toes).
• Keep the ulcer covered with a clean dressing as directed by your clinician – don’t leave it open to the air.
• Keep surrounding skin clean and dry.
• Avoid walking barefoot; follow instructions about off-loading devices or limited weight-bearing.
• Manage blood sugar and take prescribed medicines consistently.

Avoid:

• Trimming callus or “digging” into the wound yourself
• Using caustic chemicals or strong antiseptics that burn healthy skin
• Relying on home remedies instead of seeing a clinician
• Ignoring new redness, swelling, or drainage

9. Key takeaways: do foot ulcers heal on their own?

• A true foot ulcer is a chronic wound, not a simple scratch.
• Because of underlying issues (pressure, blood flow, neuropathy, infection), most will not heal on their own.
• Delaying care increases the risk of infection, hospitalisation, and amputation.
• With early, structured treatment – off-loading, good wound care, and management of diabetes and circulation – many ulcers can heal and future problems can be prevented.

If you notice any sore on your foot that doesn’t start to improve within a few days, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems, treat it as urgent, not optional. Getting help early is the safest path to keeping your feet – and your independence – for the long term.