Diabetic Foot Care

If you have diabetes, taking care of your feet is very important. This article discusses how you can take care of your feet and when to see a doctor.

Diabetes causes reduced blood circulation in your feet and a loss of sensation there. Doctors refer to this condition as peripheral neuropathy. This means that if you injure your foot in any way, it may not heal easily, and you may not even realize it.

Important information

Keeping your blood sugar under control will greatly reduce the risk of these complications. Also, keep an eye on blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, and keep them under control with medication if needed.

7 Simple Tips for Diabetic Foot Care

See a foot specialist at least once a year.
Always keep your feet clean and infection-free.
Wear shoes that fit well; don’t squeeze or rub. Wearing shoes that do not fit properly can lead to calluses, sores, and nail problems.
Never walk barefoot, especially when walking in the garden or going to the beach on vacation. Avoiding walking barefoot can help you reduce the risk of getting cut or injured.
Avoid sitting with your legs up, as sitting in this way can block the blood flow to your legs.
Trim nails regularly.
If the skin on the feet becomes hard, consult a doctor and treat it.

Quit smoking to save your feet:

If you have diabetes, you need to quit smoking. Smoking restricts the circulation of blood in the body; the effect is more serious, especially in those who have diabetes. Smoking can make any foot problem much more serious.

Eat nutritious food and keep active.

Having diabetes requires you to follow a balanced, nutritious diet as well as keep your body active. This will keep your diabetes under control. Following these tips will help reduce your risk of foot and ankle problems.

When should I go to the doctor?

If your foot sores, blisters, or injuries do not heal easily, you should see a doctor.

You should see a doctor quickly in the following four cases:

If you notice a cut or broken skin on your leg, or fluid oozing from the wound,
If the skin on any part of the leg, or even the entire leg, changes color and becomes more red, blue, pale, or black,
If the area where there was a blister or wound becomes more swollen,
Be careful around sores, ulcers, or areas that may be problematic if they become swollen or red.