Diabetes jeopardizes foot health – there are no two ways about it. Elevated blood sugar can potentially induce nerve damage and impaired circulation, which hinders the detection of injuries while also slowing healing. Paying attention to your feet is really important for early identification and treatment of issues.
Check Your Feet Every Day
Proper diabetic foot care is essential then. According to the experts over at Commonwealth Foot & Ankle, checking your feet every day is a crucial part of caring for them. It only takes a minute to do a daily check, yet this simple habit is vital to stopping minor problems turning major. Examine the tops, bottoms, sides, heels, and spaces between your toes. Look at one foot at a time under good light. Use a mirror to see the bottoms since bending can be hard for some. Feel for hot or cold spots, redness, swelling and cuts. Share your findings with your doctor at each visit. They need to know about any foot changes to provide the necessary diabetic foot care and prevent complications.
Wash Gently and Dry Thoroughly
Germs can cause infections in injured feet. Wash feet daily in warm, not hot, water. Use gentle soap and pat dry with a soft towel. Be extra careful drying between the toes where skin folds and stays damp; wetness allows germs to grow. Moisturize with a daily foot cream, but not between the toes.
Trim Nails Carefully
Cutting nails too short raises the risk of ingrown nails. Ingrown nails lead to redness and infection. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers only on nails you can see clearly. Have your doctor trim nails you cannot reach or view well at visits. File edges smooth so they don’t catch on socks or tear skin. Don’t cut corns or calluses yourself or use chemical corn removers. See your foot doctor for thick areas of hard skin.
Wear Clean, Dry Socks and Shoes
Put on fresh socks daily so feet stay clean and dry. You should change them more often if you sweat a lot. Socks with padding on the bottom can prevent pressure injuries. Well-fitted shoes give support and room for healthy circulation. Shop late in the day when your feet swell the most. Break shoes in slowly. Check inside shoes every time before wearing them to feel for objects or rough seams and edges.
Keep Blood Flowing
Movement keeps blood pumping well to feed tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Get up and walk for a few minutes periodically if you sit a lot. Don’t cross your legs for long times, and prop your feet up when you can to ease swelling. Don’t use hot tubs or heating pads as they can boost circulation too much.
Moisturize to Avoid Cracks
Daily lotion prevents the dryness that leads to cracks on heels or edges of feet. Don’t put cream between toes where extra moisture helps fungus grow. Check with your doctor on what products are safest if you have loss of feeling. Picking or tearing at thick, dead skin opens a pathway for bacteria to enter and set up an infection.
Know When to Get Urgent Care
See your foot doctor right away if you have any of the following:
- Redness, swelling, oozing, foul odor, warmth, or severe pain.
- Changes in nail color, thickness, or texture.
- Changes in skin color or temperature.
- Numbness, burning, or tingling.
- Sores, blisters, breaks in the skin, ulcers, cuts, or cracks.
Conclusion
Ignoring small problems sets the stage for major issues over time, like wounds or bone infections. Gangrene from poor blood supply can even lead to amputation. But staying alert through daily checks and promptly treating any foot issues helps ensure you keep steady on your feet for years to come.
