5 Foot Care Tips For Diabetics
Since diabetes causes nerve damage (diabetic
neuropathy) that affects your feet and legs, a small cut or bruise may go
unnoticed because you fail to feel it. Even when you develop a blister or sore,
you may not notice it until the condition has worsened. Thus, even a small cut
or bruise may have serious consequences – from becoming infected to turning up
into a non-healing wound that may put you at the risk for amputation. This is
why proper foot care is extremely important for diabetics. Here are five tips
that can help you get started:
1. Daily foot inspection: Make sure to inspect your feet daily for swelling, blisters, cuts, redness or nail problems. You can use a magnifying glass to take a good look at the bottom of your feet and ensure you do not miss anything untoward. If you have trouble reaching, seeing, or checking your feet, you can ask a family member to help. In case you notice anything irregular or worrying, get in touch with your foot doctor without any further delay.
3. Moisturize your feet: To ensure that the skin on your feet does not crack or itch, apply a thin coat of a moisturizing lotion daily on the top and bottom of your feet. However, do not moisturize between your toes because it could trigger a fungal infection.
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Image Courtesy: Pixabay |
1. Daily foot inspection: Make sure to inspect your feet daily for swelling, blisters, cuts, redness or nail problems. You can use a magnifying glass to take a good look at the bottom of your feet and ensure you do not miss anything untoward. If you have trouble reaching, seeing, or checking your feet, you can ask a family member to help. In case you notice anything irregular or worrying, get in touch with your foot doctor without any further delay.
2. Keep your feet
clean and use lukewarm water: You should keep your feet clean by washing them
daily. However, use lukewarm warm and not very hot water as that may hurt and
scald. Be gentle with your feet and do not scrub them vigorously. Ideally, you
should use a sponge or a soft washcloth. Once you have washed your feet, make
sure to dry them well, especially the regions between your toes. In case your
feet sweat excessively, you may even apply an antiperspirant on the sole of
your feet after you have washed and cleaned them.
3. Moisturize your feet: To ensure that the skin on your feet does not crack or itch, apply a thin coat of a moisturizing lotion daily on the top and bottom of your feet. However, do not moisturize between your toes because it could trigger a fungal infection.
4. Clip your toenails:
Cut your toenails straight across and use a nail file or an emery board to file
the edges. Make sure to cut your nails every week or when required. However,
take care not to cut them too short, as this may cause ingrown toenails. In
case you have concerns about your nails or face problems while trimming, it is
best to consult your doctor rather than buying over-the-counter medicines and
playing the doctor yourself.
5. Manage your
diabetes: Preventive measure is the best in most cases and it is no different
for diabetics. To keep your feet healthy, your primary job is to keep your
blood sugar within the accepted range. Additionally, you should schedule
regular foot checkups with your podiatrist as an experienced professional with
specialization in foot care is the best person to help prevent foot
complications that are triggered by diabetes.
You can take some additional steps like
never walking barefoot (even inside your home), wearing socks that wick
moisture away from your feet, checking the inside of your shoes before wearing
them, and refraining from smoking to avoid serious foot problems.
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