...and we have a new complication!

Remember that toe wound that I'd talked about? I just took off the bandage before stepping into the shower, and the edges of the wound are green-tinged. I consulted the AI god about why this might be so, and it said that it's a possible Pseudomonas infection. Lovely. Back when I used to work at the national office of an infection-control nonprofit in DC, we used to deal all the time with bacterial names like Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Common-but-nasty stuff.

A green appearance around a diabetic toe wound often signals a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, caused by pigments secreted by the bacteria, and is a serious sign of an infected, non-healing wound. Other signs of a serious infection include pus, foul odors, increased pain or redness, and worsening of the wound. You should seek immediate medical attention for a diabetic wound with a green color, as it requires proper assessment and treatment to prevent serious complications.

Why the Color Is a Concern 

Bacterial Infection: The green discoloration is a classic symptom of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, a type of bacteria commonly found in diabetic foot wounds.

Tissue Death: The color change indicates that the bacteria are actively infecting the wound and breaking down tissue, which can lead to complications like gangrene.

Why Diabetic Wounds Are Vulnerable

Poor Blood Flow: Diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow to the feet. This lack of oxygen and nutrients slows down the healing process and makes the wound more susceptible to infection.

Nerve Damage: Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) can lead to reduced sensation in the feet, making it easier to injure the foot without realizing it.

Weakened Immune System: Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.

What to Do

Seek Immediate Medical Care: A green-colored wound around a diabetic toe is a medical emergency that needs prompt assessment and treatment by a doctor.

Do Not Delay: Do not wait for other symptoms to appear. The infection needs to be treated quickly to prevent further tissue damage and potential complications.

Do Not Self-Treat: Do not attempt to treat the wound yourself. A healthcare professional can properly diagnose the infection and provide the appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics or other advanced wound care.

I don't have any "pus, foul odors, increased pain or redness, or worsening of the wound." Aside from the weirdly green color, nothing else has changed. So I'm not going to go to Samsung Hospital's emergency room tonight, but I will visit my local doctor tomorrow morning. If his office is closed, I'll head over to Samsung Hospital's ER. Tonight, meanwhile, I'll soak the foot in an Epsom-salt solution again and will avoid other forms of "self-treatment." I predict what will happen tomorrow is that the doc will look at the wound, grimace a bit, give me an iodine treatment followed by a thorough toe-bandaging, then prescribe anti-Pseudomonas antibiotics. Of course, if I wake up tomorrow, and my right big toe has turned totally black and gangrenous, I'll go straight to the ER. I don't know how fast this problem is progressing; I didn't see this discoloration yesterday, so if things happen fast, plans might have to change fast.

Okay, so... I'm obviously not going anywhere tonight, and I may need time for the antibiotics to work before I try any sort of test walk, so at a guess, test walking has been cancelled for this week. In fact, any test walk  that I do manage to do will probably be done locally to save money on motels. I have my 9.4K route to the Han and back, then there's my 14K route out to Jamshil Bridge and back, and I can turn that into a 28K route just by walking it twice. So nothing tragic has happened yet. And even when I envision the worst-case scenario—losing the toe—I'm not worried. I've hated that toe for years now.

ADDENDUM: the AI god advises that Epsom-salt soaks are no substitute for professional treatment but might be okay as a temporary stopgap before a doctor's appointment: "While Epsom salt might be used for minor issues like slowing down bacterial growth in a short-term waiting period before a doctor's appointment, it is not a substitute for professional medical attention for a foot ulcer or wound."