Foot Care
Diabetic foot care is very important, and accurate knowledge
is the diabetic's best friend.
Effect of diabetes on the feet
In long-term diabetes, blood circulation to and from the
feet decreases, slowing the healing process for foot injuries.
Because nerves in the feet may not work well, you may not
feel small foot injuries and therefore you may fail to treat
them promptly. Untreated foot injuries can become infected
or ulcerated.
As diabetics, we should remember that what happens to our
extremities is usually 10 times more damaging than it is with
a healthy person. Even the smallest of wounds can cause serious
health problems due to reduced circulation and slow healing.
Diabetes can supress your immune system, so never ignore if
you have a wound that is slow to heal or seems infected .
The dos and donts of foot care
The dos
Check your feet daily for red spots, bruises, cuts, blisters,
and dryness or cracks in the skin. Don't forget under and
between toes. Press gently and feel for tenderness or hot
spots -- this may indicate injury.
Use lotions like lanolin base cream to keep the skin soft,
but do not apply it between your toes.
Wear good-fitting, soft shoes and clean socks. Smooth out
wrinkles in socks. Choose new shoes carefully (comfort is
more important than style) Always check them often for foreign
objects.If you wear socks, make sure they are loose and preferably
made of cotton so your feet can breathe. make sure that your
feet are not too moist or too dry.
Wear insulated boots to keep feet warm on cold days.
Trim toenails to the contour of your toe. If you can't see
them well or reach them easily, have someone do this for you.
Buff calluses with pumice stone.
The donts
NEVER go barefoot. Circulation to the feet is reduced in
most diabetics. This can impair your ability to feel extreme
heat or cold and pain. That can lead to injuries.
Avoid habits that impair your circulation. Do not sit with
your legs crossed or tucked underneath your body.
Do not wear tight socks, pantyhose, knee highs, or garters.
Put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.
NEVER use a razor blade or knife on your feet to Cut corns
or calluses or use corn pads or corn medication.
First Aid for Foot Injuries
You may feel no pain when you injure your foot, but that
doesn't mean you can ignore the injury.
Wash the injury with mild soap and dry thoroughly.
Then apply a mild antiseptic (for example, Polysporin ointment).
Do not use iodine, Epsom salts, or boric acid.
If a bandage is necessary, use a small gauze pad and non-allergic
tape (regular tape can irritate your skin).
Rest with the injured foot up for 20 minutes several times
a day.
Visit your Podiatrist if you have
A puncture wound, any foot injury that does not heal, or
any pus from cuts
Red spots (even if there is no pain) under corns and calluses
Ingrown toenails, or thick toenails, corns, or calluses that
are difficult to care for
Remember, these are the only feet you will ever have. Treat
them well. Amputation is painful and traumatic, but can be
avoided with a little time and care. Your health care professionals
cannot do it all. You have to help them. After all it is your
body.
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