On the face of it, diabetes doesn’t sound like such a serious condition — elevated levels of sugar in the blood wouldn’t seem like it would do too much damage. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Poorly controlled blood sugar damages the body on several fronts, and increases your risk of developing a host of issues from heart disease to kidney failure. If you have suffered from nerve damage, you must pay careful attention to your feet, as you are less likely to feel various sorts of damage that can cause serious complications, such as infection or even amputation of toes, or the whole foot.
Here are some tips for properly caring for your feet if you have diabetes:
Daily Foot Check
Catching foot problems early is crucial to minimize complications of the disease, and a daily check is the first line of defense. If you find any scrapes or cuts, you must begin treating them right away. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, and apply antibiotic creams and bandages. Failure to treat can lead to more serious problems, such as open sores and infection. If you experience any oozing, redness, foul-smelling discharge, warmth or swelling, contact your doctor as an infection has already taken root. Contact your doctor immediately if you see any blue or black skin as this indicates blood flow blockage — this is an emergency and requires immediate attention.
Keep skin moisturized, but don’t put lotion between the toes as moisture in this area can trigger fungus growth. Don’t break blisters open — clean it and cover with a bandage. About once a week, you want to cut toenails –straight across — to prevent ingrown toenails, which can lead to infection.
If you notice any slow-healing wounds, make an appointment with your doctor.
Considerations for Socks and Footwear
Choose your shoes carefully if you have diabetes. First off, to ensure a good fit, you should always wear the socks you normally wear, when trying on shoes. Look for ones with more depth in the toe box to avoid squashing your toes; avoid shoes with seams on the inside — they can rub on your foot and cause discomfort. Wool or cotton socks are a good choice. You might even look into buying diabetic socks, which are specially made to control moisture, and reduce friction and pressure that can irritate feet suffering from complications of diabetes.
Break in new shoes gradually to reduce blisters, pain and other discomfort. Don’t walk around barefoot — always wear shoes and socks. The nerve damage makes it less likely you will feel injury, so it is prudent to always keep your feet protected.
There are special shoes that are made for diabetics — this might be something covered by Medicare or your private insurance. Inquire about this to see if you are able to get at least partial insurance coverage.
Keep Your Feet Dry
One of the most important aspects of proper foot care for diabetics is drying your feet thoroughly after bathing or swimming or any other time they get wet. The space between the toes is highly susceptible to skin-breakdown when moist, increasing the risk of infection. Preventing infection is one of the primary goals of diabetics with foot problems. This condition makes wounds more slow to heal, which can lead to serious complications. Prevention is the name of the game.
Go Easy with Exercise
Regular exercise is a cornerstone treatment of this disease — it keeps weight under control and blood sugar in check. But, if you have foot problems, you must choose your activities carefully. Opt for non-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming. You don’t want any excessive leaping, bouncing, and jumping.
Check Water Temperature
Nerve damage in the extremities makes it difficult to tell how hot or cold water is. You run the risk of serious burns and infection if you don’t check water temperature beforehand. If your hands have damage as well, use your elbow to check water temperature before getting into the shower or bath.
Diabetes can be a scary condition because of the serious problems it can lead to. But, fortunately, the most powerful treatments are in the realm of lifestyle, meaning you have a great deal of control in managing it. Complications like nerve damage in the feet can be kept in check with proper self-care.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.