5 Effective Tips For Diabetic Foot Care

When you have diabetes, you are highly likely to have diabetes-related foot conditions. The high sugar or glucose level in your blood often gradually destroys blood vessels and nerves in your legs and feet. The destruction of nerves and reduced blood flow will make your feet numb, and thus it becomes more difficult to notice blisters, cuts, and sores. You can reduce your risk of developing foot ulcers and infections by ensuring you observe proper diabetic foot care The Woodlands. By monitoring, preventing, and immediately treating foot infections and sores due to diabetes, it is possible to minimize the spreading of foot ulcers that may threaten your life and require amputation.

Apart from diabetic ulcers, blisters, and fungal infections, other common diabetes-related foot conditions you may also have are athlete’s foot, calluses, corns, bunions, dry skin, and hammertoes. You may also suffer from ingrown toenails and plantar warts. An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that starts between your toes. On the other hand, a hammertoe, also called a rotated toe, is an abnormal bending in the toe’s middle joint because of weakened muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Consequently, below are useful tips that may come in handy to help you care for your diabetic foot.

• Avoid walking barefoot

When you walk barefoot, whether inside or outside your home, your feet are susceptible to small cuts, scrapes, and even penetration by different objects on the ground, such as broken pieces of glass, pebbles, and a sewing needle. Thus, always wear slippers or shoes.

• Maintain feet dryness

Ensure that you wash your feet daily using warm water and do not soak them. Washing your feet enables them to breathe better and prevents infection since there is unclogging of skin pores and elimination of accumulating bacteria and fungi. And when you are washing your feet, you can check for changes in your feet and legs, like cuts, sores, inflammation, and redness.

Once you have washed your feet, dry them thoroughly and apply a moisturizer to protect you from cracked and dry skin. Wet skin can break down easily, leading to attacks by harmful bacteria and fungi that cause infections. Do not apply a lotion or moisturizer between the toes.

During winter, keep your feet warm by wearing warm socks and shoes.

• Avoid smoking

Smoking introduces hundreds of toxic chemicals into your bloodstream, which can lead to various diabetes complications. For instance, smoking or tobacco use may reduce blood flow to your legs and feet, make it difficult to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and make you prone to other dangerous health issues such as stroke, eye disease, heart disease, and kidney disease.

Moreover, drink alcohol responsibly. Consumption of alcohol, depending on the quantity and eating habits, may promote high or low blood sugar.

• Use orthotic shoes

Since you have diabetes, wear custom-made shoes that relieve pressure from a diabetic foot and allow adequate air circulation. Wear comfortable shoes, switch between wearing different types of shoes daily, and avoid high heels.

• Good nail care

Avoid ingrown toenails by cutting them straight across instead of cutting their corners.

Contact Foot and Ankle Specialists today to book an appointment with a diabetic foot care specialist.

Jay Aguila