When you have diabetes, taking care of your feet is an important part of your self-care routine. Diabetes nerve damage can impair your capacity to sense pain, heat, and cold. This means that you may not notice a foot injury, such as a cut or blister until it becomes infected. Nerve damage can also cause changes in the shape of your feet and toes, making ordinary shoes unpleasant and potentially harmful to your feet.
Diabetes causes blood vessels to thin and stiffen, resulting in impaired circulation (blood flow), which is another cause of foot issues. Poor circulation makes fighting infection and healing more difficult for your foot. While even minor scrapes and ulcers can lead to more serious infections and limb loss, there are steps you can do to safeguard your foot.
You can reach to diabetic foot clinic. Also Follow these techniques to help avoid injury and lower your chance of developing foot issues if you have diabetes and neuropathy.
- Maintain Good Daily Foot Care: Wash your feet thoroughly every day, but avoid using hot water. Instead, wash your feet with warm soapy water and inspect them for sores, wounds, blisters, corns, or redness. Dry your feet well and apply a little moisturizer. Avoid moisturizing between your toes, since this can lead to infections.
- Trim Toenails: Toenails should be kept trimmed since long or thick nails can rub on adjacent toes and cause open sores. Toenails should be trimmed straight across—cutting into the corners of the nail might result in ingrown toenails. Finish by filing down any sharp edges with an emery board.
- Choosing the Correct Footwear: To limit the risk of injury, avoid going barefoot, especially at home. Wearing socks and shoes (or slippers at home) protects the feet. Furthermore, moisture-wicking socks keep your feet clean and dry. Check for any sharp things, such as tiny pebbles, before putting on your shoes, and wear shoes that fit properly without pinching your toes or rubbing against your feet. If your shoes aren’t comfortable, consult your doctor about therapeutic shoes or inserts that may be appropriate for you.
- Exercise every day: Exercise is beneficial for those who have impaired circulation. It improves blood circulation in the legs and feet. Walk in strong, comfortable shoes that fit well, but don’t walk if your feet have open sores.
- Keep tracking your health: Take care of your feet—and your general health—by addressing some of the causes of neuropathy and poor blood flow. Follow the advice of your diabetes care team to quit smoking and keep your blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. Contact your doctor straight away if you detect any concerns such as numbness, ulcers, or unhealed wounds.
- Examine your feet every day: Take a close check at your socks, whether you’re preparing to put them on or take them off before bed. If you notice any changes, you should consult a doctor right away.
Summing Up!
Diabetes may be damaging to your feet, and even a little cut can have major implications. The diabetic foot care is vital. You can take help of Spectrum Healthcare diabetic foot care or just follow the above guidelines to avoid severe foot problems that might result in the loss of a toe, foot, or limb.
