Importance of Diabetic Foot Care!

 Diabetic Foot Care!


What is the importance?

If you have diabetes, it's essential to make foot care part of your daily self-care routine.

Diabetics can develop foot conditions without knowing it. When feet and legs have neuropathy(nerve damage) a small cut or wound can go unnoticed. These small wounds could go on to produce terrible infections and even end with loss of limb or life. Amputations are very often preventable just from daily foot checks and foot care. That means checking your feet daily and seeing a foot doctor (podiatrist) every two or three months in order to catch problems early.

"I keep hearing about Neuropathy. What is it and how does it relate to Diabetes?"

Neuropathy is simple damage to nerves. There are many things other than diabetes that can cause neuropathy, however, diabetes is currently the number 1 cause. When your blood carries excess amounts of sugar consistently it reaches its limit and pours the sugar into your nerves. Unfortunately your nerves cannot get rid of the excess sugar! The nerves keep taking in this sugar and become swollen and begin to go haywire. This can lead to numbness, burning, tingling, sharp pains! Remember to keep that blood sugar LOW to prevent it from leaking into your nerves!


What consists of Daily Foot Care?


Daily Care
  • Wash and dry your feet with mild soap and lukewarm water. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes! If you neglect in between your toes you can be at risk for skin breakdown and subsequent fungal/bacterial infections! Use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking, but don't put the lotion between your toes.
  • Do not soak feet, or you'll risk infection if the skin begins to break down. And if you have neuropathy, take care with water temperature. You risk burning your skin if you can't feel that the water is too hot.
Daily Foot Exam

When examining your feet, look for:
  • Cuts/scratches: These may seem minor at the time but they can quickly develop into an ulcer and infection! Apply triple antibiotic ointment and band aid(unless allergic). If the area becomes red/hot/swollen/pus seek attention immediately!
  • Open wounds(ulcers): Minor scrapes or cuts that heal slowly -- or sores from badly-fitting shoes -- can become infected, causing ulcers. To prevent foot ulcers, treat scrapes or cuts right away. Talk to your doctor about any foot sores you have. It's important to get them treated immediately
  • Dry Skin:Use lotion daily. Make sure you have a good diabetic lotion! Keep up with blog for recommendations in the next few days or email zbeth02@gmail.com.
  • Cracking, red skin between the toes are signs of athletes foot(fungal infection). Treat it right away to prevent further infection -- your doctor can recommend a pill or cream.
  • Corns/callus: After every shower or bath smooth these with an emery board or pumice stone -- but don't try to remove a callus all at once, give it several attempts. Do not use drugstore remedies for corns and calluses and do not try to cut or remove a corn or callus.
  • Ingrown toenails: I recommend going to a Podiatrist every 2-3 months for nail trimming if you have nerve damage.
  • Redness, warmth, swelling, or pain: These are symptoms of inflammation and infection. See a doctor right away. This can present on foot or leg.
  • Blue or black skin color indicates blood flow problems. If you're foot is cold and blue or black this is an emergency; get to a hospital immediately.
  • Burning pain in your feet:  This could be due to neuropathy(nerve damage) caused by diabetes. Ask physician for lotion or oral medication to help alleviate pain with neuropathy.
     
If you have any questions don't hesitate to email zbeth02@gmail.com
If pain or issues persist seek medical attention immediately.

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