Foot Care and Diabetes

One of the symptoms for diabetes is when you start getting sores on your feet. To avoid amputations and infections, you would need to take precautionary measures. Amputations usually happen when you start losing feeling under your feet. Because you don’t feel anything, it is quite easy for you to get cuts and sores without even knowing that it has occurred. That is why it is imperative to take a look under your feet on a daily basis to ensure that under your feet is void of cuts, sores or even a scratch. The best way you can go about managing diabetes conditions such as this is by protecting your feet every day by wearing socks or shoes.

When taking a shower, turn the dial to warm water so that your feet can get a tempered bath. Never soak your feet; your skin can immediately become broken from the dryness. This can lead to cracks and ultimately sores.

To avoid this, dry your feet thoroughly after getting out of the shower making sure you pay particular attention to drying the areas between your toes. Feet should be kept moisten all the time.

Massaging your legs will help with blood circulation; you can also do feet and leg exercises as well to get your blood flowing. Of course, the above-mentioned precautions should be coupled with regular visits to your podiatrist.

Living with Diabetes: Examining Your Feet

If you’re living with diabetes, eating right and monitoring your blood sugar is likely of utmost importance. This is how you avoid complications related to diabetes such as heart attack, stroke and nerve damage. Along with a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, it is also imperative to examine your feet regularly.

Living with diabetes slows down your body’s ability to fight infections. What’s more, nerve damage that results from diabetes makes it difficult to detect wounds and injury. Untreated wounds on the feet can become severely infected. If the infection isn’t caught early and spreads, doctors may have to amputate the affected region.

However, you can avoid serious consequences by paying attention to your feet, as well as other areas of your body. After showering or bathing, carefully examine your feet. Check for ingrown toenails, sores, scratches and other open wounds. Be sure to dry your feet completely after bathing to prevent the growth of fungus.

If you’re living with diabetes and you do detect a wound, apply a topical antibiotic and a sterile bandage to the skin. Monitor the wound until it heals. If the wound doesn’t show signs of improvement within a few days, or if it turns red or begins to ooze pus, contact a doctor immediately.

Footcare for Diabetics

Diabetics run a greater than average risk of developing foot problems, making proper care an important part of managing the condition. Some of the effects of the disease mean that complications are more likely unless appropriate precautions are taken.

However, with a little regular attention many foot problems can be addressed if not completely eliminated.

Diabetes can cause nerve damage leading to a reduction of feeling in the feet, this is known as peripheral neuropathy and it is possible to have this without being aware. The condition means that otherwise minor ailments, such as cuts and sores can develop into serious problems and even lead to amputation. For this reason, a regular regime of foot care is advised, especially for older sufferers, who can cut their risk of complication by more than half.

Problems are most likely to occur in sufferers with kidney and eye complications, although all diabetics run a higher than average risk, making it vitally important to check for the warning signs. Healthcare in this area has improved greatly in recent years and clinics have established preventative care programs reducing the rate of amputation by more than 80%.

Follow the simple checklist below to minimize your chances of any trouble:

1. Look out for any unusual redness, changes in skin color or swelling on the feet and lower legs.
2. Have calluses, bunions and fungal infections promptly treated by professionals.
3. Wash your feet thoroughly on a daily basis.
4. Dry carefully, paying particular attention between the toes and use medicated talcum powder.
5. Monitor and control your glucose levels.
6. Buy comfortable, well fitting shoes with cushioned soles and always wear socks.
7. Keep toenails in good order and file regularly.
8. Have your feet examined by your doctor at every visit.
9. Monitor the sensation in your feet regularly.