Diabetic Foot Care
Proper foot care for diabetics is especially important. Because of nerve damage caused by diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), people with diabetes can wind up with dangerous sores that do not heal. Without proper diabetes foot care, this can lead to dangerous infections and even amputations.
Fortunately, simple daily care can help diabetic feet stay healthy. But first, you need to know the facts:
Fact: Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, 25 percent will develop foot problems.
Fact: In diabetic feet, narrowing of the arteries frequently leads to decreased circulation. This reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin and other tissues, causing injuries to heal poorly. Without proper diabetic foot care, this can lead to ulcers, infection and other serious foot conditions. Poor circulation can also lead to swelling and dryness of the foot.
Fact: Diabetic foot care entails checking your feet as part of your daily routine. Check for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling or infected toenails. You may also need to wear specially fitted diabetic shoes prescribed by your doctor.
Take Care of Your Diabetes, Take Care of Your Feet
The most important fact about foot care for diabetics is that keeping your blood glucose (sugar) in good control every day can help avoid serious problems. That means:
- Knowing how and when to test your blood glucose.
- Knowing when to test your A1c.
- Taking your medication as prescribed.
- Eating regular meals that contain a variety of healthy, low-fat, high-fiber foods including fruits and vegetables each day.
Proper diabetic foot treatment includes washing your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap. After thoroughly drying your feet, soften dry skin with lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin or oil. Do not put any lotion between your toes.
Hint: You may not be able to sense hot temperatures with your feet, so always test the water temperature with your hands first.
Get Examined
Good diabetes foot care also includes having your feet examined by your healthcare provider at least once a year. Report sores, blisters, cuts or signs of infection to your doctor immediately.
Hint: Take off your shoes and socks when you enter the examining room to remind yourself that you need a foot exam.
Take the Right Steps
Diabetic foot care is easy with the following strategies:
Protect your feet … always! — Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with clean, dry socks or non-binding panty hose at all times. Avoid wearing thong sandals or stockings with seams that can cause pressure points. Don’t buy shoes that do not fit properly, expecting the shoes to stretch with time.
Trim nails correctly — Diabetes foot care also includes trimming your toenails along the shape of the toe and filing the nails to remove any sharp edges.
Hint: Make an appointment with a podiatrist to treat foot problems or to have corns or calluses removed. Never attempt to treat these yourself using over-the-counter remedies.
Quit smoking — Smoking can worsen heart and vascular problems and reduce circulation to the feet. If you need help, talk with your doctor about joining a smoking cessation program.
The Bottom Line on Diabetic Foot Care
For patients with diabetes, foot complications are an ever-present risk. Getting regular examinations is important. But perhaps the best step you can take is to practice everyday foot care.
Tags: diabetes foot care, diabetic foot care, diabetic foot treatment, foot care for diabetics
