Protecting diabetic feet

Protecting Diabetic Feet
Protecting Diabetic Feet

Foot care is essential if you’re a diabetic or you care for a loved one with diabetes. We have a few tips that can help you avoid costly and trouble feet as a diabetic.

 

Diabetic feet can easily hurt just by bumping them, and the unnoticed damage could lead to infection if it goes unnoticed.  This is due to a loss of feeling called peripheral neuropathy. We can help recognize and treat foot problems promptly, and this will significantly reduce your chances of serios problem down the road.  A little infection with peripheral neuropathy can lead to amputation. Looking after your feet and having us help you will be a life changer.  We can help monitor and inspect your feet and you’ll significantly reduce your chances of developing serious problems.

A Few of The Basics

A Few of the basics

If you have diabetes, please avoid barefoot, especially in the great outdoors, a simple twig or thorn could prick a toe, and before you know it, we have a infection! Wearing sandals or shoes on the beach and in the water to protect your feet from glass or sharp rocks.  Be sure to wash your feet well of sand after your walk.   Get shoes that properly fit so they don’t rub or scuff the foot, second-hand footwear is a no no, as someone else has cased the soles already, throwing off your gait. Hand-me downs shoes is likely to be a poor fit. Poor-fitting shoes cause calluses and corns that can get infected when left untreated.

See a foot care specialist on an annual basis for a more comprehensive foot check and getting treatment of any areas of concern. It’s so important to keep your floors at home clean to prevent dirt from getting into cuts or sores. Caring for your feet is a must, thoroughly wash and dry them daily.

Looking at your feet for redness or sores, filing your toenails regularly if you can, if you can’t please book an appointment with a Foot Care specialist.  Use foot lotion to keep your feet soft, but avoid putting lotion between your toes, the wrong lotion between the toes can be more prone to infection if it remains moist.

Inspecting and recognize problems early

 

Learn how to spot problems, this can help avoid infections and loss of limb. Check your feet daily for soreness, discharge, or odors. Look for changes in skin colour, compare both feet and lower legs, this can help indicate a problem, looking for any discolouration, such as blue or red areas.