Most diabetics need to have a team of doctors on call to help maintain their overall health. This includes a podiatrist to examine and treat any problems with their feet, as diabetics are more susceptible to foot problems primarily due to poor circulation. If you’re a diabetic, here are six-foot care tips to keep them healthy.
Control Blood Sugar
Whether you maintain your blood sugar with diet and exercise or take medications to manage it, you need to keep it under control. High blood sugar levels increase your risk of diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to perpetual numbness in your feet. If you keep it under control, you will also be less at risk for slow-healing cuts that could become infected.
Inspect Feet Daily
Approximately 70% of diabetics experience diabetic neuropathy, which is essentially damage to the nerves and can cause numbness in the extremities, especially the feet. Since it can make it more difficult to feel pain, you need to inspect your feet for sores, cracked skin, and discoloration. Place a mirror on the floor to see the bottom of your feet, as this makes it easy to ensure they are not damaged.
Keep Feet Clean
A good time to inspect your feet is when you wash them every day. Carefully wash your feet with warm soapy water, making sure to wash between toes and around your ankles to prevent skin issues and fungus. Use a clean towel to gently pat your feet dry instead of rubbing them to, again, prevent skin damage. Finish your cleansing routine with a moisturising lotion to keep the skin on your feet soft and smooth.
Buy Comfortable Footwear
Since diabetics need to be careful with their feet, they should buy comfortable shoes and socks. Buy shoes with more room in the toe area, without inside seams, and a pair that covers most of the foot. Socks should be made from cotton or other breathable fabrics to help control moisture; and they should be made without seams.
Avoid Going Barefoot
Although it may be hard for some people to do, diabetics should avoid going barefoot around the house. They can accidentally get cuts, scrapes, or pieces of glass embedded in their feet and, if they have diabetic neuropathy, they may not be aware of the damage until it becomes infected. At least wear a pair of sandals or slides around the house if it is hot and you don’t want to wear a pair of regular shoes.
Get Feet Treated
If you do develop problems with your feet, such as bunions, corns, or calluses, make an appointment with one of the podiatrists in Perth to have them treated as soon as possible. Although there are over-the-counter treatments for some foot issues, you should let a skilled doctor treat you to avoid complications. Also, if you have problems with ingrown toenails, a podiatrist can remove them to keep your feet functional and pain-free.
If you don’t properly care for your feet, cuts and scrapes can lead to serious infections, which may eventually even lead to amputations. However, if you are diligent in taking care of your feet, you can avoid complications and keep them healthy with ease.
