While foot care is important for everyone, people with diabetes are more prone to foot problems, and therefore should make a special effort to remain diligent with foot care.
People with diabetes often develop painful nerve damage known as, “peripheral neuropathy.” While neuropathy can affect the body as a whole, often the legs and feet are especially prone to problems. As a result, it is even more important for those with diabetes to care for their feet properly to prevent additional problems from occurring.
Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling in the feet, making it difficult to regulate temperatures and feel pain. This makes it possible to hurt or injure the foot without realizing it. As a result, a simple cut can become infected. To prevent these problems for occurring, diligent foot care is important.
Here are some things that people with diabetes can do to keep their feet healthy:
Daily Foot Examinations
Carefully inspecting your feet and legs on a regular basis is the easiest, more cost effective way to managing foot complications. By examining your feet regularly, you will be able to take notice of any injury, temperature change, discoloring, or swelling. Not only will this help to prevent minor injuries from becoming worse, it can alert you to warning signs of poor circulation or loss of feeling that could lead to something more serious.
Foot Hygiene
Keep your feet clean. Wash your feet daily with warm water and soap. Be sure to dry your feet properly, in between each toe to keep fungus from growing. You should also moisturize your feet regularly to keep them smooth and free from cracks. It is also important to keep nails trimmed properly. Improperly trimmed toenails can lead to ingrown toenails –which can cause infection. If you are unable to perform this task, be sure to ask your podiatrist for assistance.
Finally, be sure to visit your podiatrist regularly, to keep your feet healthy. A podiatrist can help you to prevent complications from foot problems. Contact Dr. Lamarra, Houston podiatrist today.