Good foot care can prevent serious issues like infections if you have diabetes. Diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves, causing injuries to resist healing when there is an infection. Failure to treat these issues on time may result in foot health deterioration and amputation. To avoid severe complications, practice good diabetic foot care and consult your podiatrist when necessary.
Diabetes-Related Foot Conditions
Foot and toe ulcers are common problems that affect people with diabetes. 15% of patients with diabetes develop a foot issue during their lifetime. Some of these individuals develop infections, leading to severe complications, including Charcot’s foot and gangrene. Foot and toe ulcers often occur in areas where the feet press or rub against other surfaces.
Once diagnosed with diabetes, health practitioners will recommend various ways to manage the condition. You’ll need a proper diet, regular exercise, and medical support to prevent or delay complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of diabetic neuropathy — a type of nerve damage. This condition leads to symptoms like burning pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.
The damaged nerves cause a loss of sensation in the feet. You may not feel an injury, like a blister or cut, if you have this condition. Failure to notice an injury could cause the cut or blister to develop into an ulcer. The ulcer may not heal due to poor blood circulation associated with diabetes. Here are a few foot care tips for patients with diabetes:
Practice Good Foot Hygiene
Dirty feet create an ideal breeding ground for fungus, which might cause infections. You should wash your feet daily to eliminate dirt and bacteria. This diabetic foot care technique helps identify and combat foot challenges before they become severe. Washing your feet and toes will help identify minor cuts, cracks, and blisters. Use lukewarm water with a mild soap to wash your feet. Dry them gently with a soft, clean towel. After drying your feet, apply a moisturizing product on the skin to prevent cracking.
Inspect Your Feet Daily
Small cracks and cuts are easy to ignore, especially if they don’t cause pain. They may also be hard to spot if they occur between the toes. You can set a specific time to check your feet and toes each day. Inspect the top and bottom of each foot, paying attention to any abnormalities like blisters, redness, or cracks. You should also check your toes for ingrown toenails and changes in nail color. A magnifying mirror and light will help you spot any problem with your feet and toes. Identifying these issues will help you determine the right way to address them.
Keep Your Toenails Trimmed
Long and thick toenails may press and injure the neighboring toes, leading to open sores. To avoid that, keep your toenails trimmed. Trim your toenails after washing your feet since water tends to soften them. Avoid cutting too short or deep into the corners of your toes since doing so could lead to ingrown toenails.
Choose Proper Footwear
Wearing high-quality footwear minimizes the risk of injuries like blisters and cuts. Choose comfortable and well-fitting shoes that provide good arch support, and invest in moisture-wicking socks. Wash your socks after wearing them to get rid of dirt and debris. Walking barefoot may also expose your feet to sharp objects, so wear comfortable slippers inside or sturdy shoes when walking outside.
Seek Professional Care
If you notice a minor foot problem, seek help from your podiatrist. A specialist will treat the condition and recommend better ways to protect your feet. Your podiatrist guides you on how to keep your blood sugar levels under control. This will help manage diabetes, preventing severe issues like nerve damage from occurring.
Visit Your Diabetic Foot Care Specialist Today
Your daily foot care regimen can help keep your feet free from injuries and complications common in people with diabetes. Proper care makes it easier to spot diabetes-related foot issues and determine how to resolve them. Visiting your podiatrist for thorough examinations will help address any foot problem. Your foot specialist can use medication like antibiotics or recommend using specialized footgear, crutches, or a wheelchair to allow a wound to heal. Contact an experienced diabetic foot care specialist today to schedule an appointment.
