5 things you need to know about foot care with diabetes

Where this is especially a problem is with your feet. Think about it. Your feet carry the weight of your muscles, organs, bones, fluids, hormones, enzymes and body fat – in other words everything that contributes to your weight. That’s a lot of pressure on two feet. It’s important to have your feet checked when you see your doctor and you should check them daily.

When your hemoglobin A1c is high, this is when damage starts to occur. The longer it’s high, the more damage is done. Complications with your feet can happen easily because of the decreased blood supply and the lowered sensation in your feet because of the nerve damage.

So, how will you know you have a problem with your feet? You may start to feel tingling in your feet along with a ‘pins and needles’ feeling, like your feet have fallen sleep and you’re trying to wake them up. You may feel sharp, shooting pain as well.

Trying to heal a wound or ulcer can be challenging. Once you have one, you can’t stay off it for the time it takes to properly heal. Continuing to walk on an injured feet can make the process long and uncomfortable.

Here are 5 tips to good foot care:

1. Check for changes in skin color and temperature (do they feel hot or cold?)
2. Check for open sores on your feet that are slow healing and monitor them. The last thing you want is an ulcer forming on the bottom of your foot.
3. Watch for cracked skin, blisters, redness or other irritations. Use a mirror to see the bottom of your feet. Also check between your toes. Remember, if you have lowered sensation in your feet, you may miss a sore or other problem developing.
4. Wash your feet everyday in warm water with a mild soap. Hot water can burn if the sensation in your feet is limited.
5. Always wear socks with your shoes so they don’t rub blisters or other sores on your feet. Make sure they fit properly so you can avoid blisters or callouses.

The bottom line is that controlling your blood sugar will help reduce damage to nerves and blood vessels. Taking good care of your feet is critical to good diabetes care management.

Dr Elaine

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This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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