Living with Diabetes? Take Good Care of Your Feet
Managing diabetes is more than checking your blood sugar and changing your diet. Living with diabetes means being aware of how it can affect every aspect of your health, including your feet. Healthy feet do more than help you walk and move; they help keep out infections that may compromise your overall health.
LESS FEELING, SLOWER HEALING
High blood glucose from diabetes can lead to nerve damage and poor blood flow to your feet. When nerves to the legs and feet are damaged, you might not feel pain, heat, or cold as you normally would. This lack of feeling is called diabetic neuropathy. In addition, poor blood flow slows the healing process, so it takes longer for a sore or infection to heal. This problem is called peripheral vascular disease, and it is made worse by smoking.
The American Diabetes Association states that a history of diabetes combined with other health problems like as poor circulation and kidney disease accounts for around 60 percent of non-traumatic amputations.
As a person with diabetes, you may experience loss of feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect blisters or sores that need attention. Blisters and sores may go unnoticed and turn into ulcers or become infected, which could cause serious problems. Because your body’s healing process may be slower, it’s very important to seek medical attention as soon as you notice a sore on your foot.
GIVE YOUR FEET EXTRA TLC
Being proactive about caring for your feet can make a big difference in your quality of life, and the key is awareness every day. The following tips can help keep your feet healthy:
- Inspect your feet every day for wounds, blisters, scratches, and cuts.
- Wash your feet daily and dry them carefully.
- Trim nails straight across and not too short.
- Use lotion on your feet, but not between your toes.
- Keep feet warm and dry and wear loose-fitting socks.
- Don’t walk barefoot.
- If you notice an injury that isn’t healing properly, contact your doctor.
“In addition, if you have loss of sensation, burning pain, cramping pain at night or when walking, see your podiatrist,” says Joseph Marino, DPM, podiatrist at Artesia General Hospital.
PUT YOUR FEET FIRST
Don’t hesitate to call or make an appointment if you have foot health concerns – we can examine your feet, check blood flow to your legs and feet, and show you care techniques.