How to take care of my foot with my diabetes ?
Foot problems are very common for anyone with diabetes. People with diabetes often have poor blood flow in their feet. Poor blood flow makes healing take longer. If there is diabetic nerve damage in the feet, the ability to feel pain, heat, and cold will be lessened. This puts the person at risk for developing serious foot problems.
Diabetes can cause conditions of the feet that include skin changes, calluses, ulcers, nerve damage, poor circulation (Vascular Surgery), and infections. A break in the skin or untrimmed calluses can turn into open sores called ulcers. Neglected foot ulcers can become infected. Without proper care of the infection, gangrene can set in putting the person at risk for amputation. For all these reasons, good foot care is important.
Good foot care helps to prevent injuries, breaks in the skin, and infections. Keeping the blood sugar in tight control is also important in preventing foot problems.
When diagnosed with diabetes, the person needs to have a foot exam by a healthcare provider. This could be the provider for the diabetes or a podiatrist. The provider will test the circulation in the foot and the nerve function. Foot care will be explained. Any problems, even minor ones, will be examined and treated. Additional foot problems could include corns, athlete’s foot, blisters, or ingrown toenails.
People with diabetes should have yearly foot exams. More often, however, if any blood flow problems or nerve damage of the feet exist. A provider should be called any time there is a break in the skin or a sore place on the foot.
Having very dry feet is common. Do not use any lotions or over-the- counter medications on the feet without checking first with your provider. The provider will suggest the appropriate lotion and medication for the condition. Wash and dry the feet before applying any lotion. Apply lotion to the whole foot, but not between the toes.
And here are few tips to take care of your foot:
· Wash your feet every day using mild soap and warm water. Check the water temperature with your hand or elbow before placing your feet in the water.
· Dry your feet well. Make sure to dry between toes.
· Look at your feet. Check for any cracks, dry skin, cuts, redness, swelling, and change in temperature.
· Apply lotion to dry or cracked skin and to soles of feet. Do not put lotion between toes.
· Call your nurse or doctor right away if you have any sign of infection such as swelling, redness, drainage, fever, or chills.
· Keep toenails neatly trimmed. Cut the nails with the shape of your toes so they are even with the skin on the end of your toes. Avoid cutting down into the comers. Never cut skin on the end of your toes. Use good lighting when trimming nails. Trim toenails only after soaking feet, for example, after a bath or shower. If your toenails are thickened, you may have to have them trimmed by a doctor or nurse.
· Report signs of ingrown toenails: redness, drainage, and swelling.
· If you have trouble seeing, have someone help you trim your toenails.
· Do not try to cut off corns or calluses. If you have corns or calluses, tell your doctor during your clinic visit. Corns or calluses can be prevented by wearing soft socks and well-fitted shoes.
