If you have diabetes, your risk of developing foot infections is remarkably high. Luckily, with the help of certain strategies, you can keep your feet safe and healthy. Learn the 7 best diabetes foot care tips in this article. Get a consultation with the best Podiatrists in Brooklyn.
7 Diabetes Foot Care Tips
These diabetes foot care tips will help you prevent complications and keep your feet healthy!
- Examine your feet every day:
You should inspect your feet every day to look for cuts, redness, wounds, bruises, calluses, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, or any changes to the skin or nails in a well-lit room. You need to check all areas, like the toes or the bottom of the foot, to check for deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. If you notice any symptoms, make sure to inform your specialist to get them treated.
- Never go barefoot, even at home:
Make sure you always wear shoes, socks, or slippers whenever you stand on your feet and walk because walking barefoot increases the risk of injury, which may not be noticeable due to diabetes (as it can damage the sensory nerves). This means if you step on any little pebble or object, it may get stuck on your foot and may cause a wound there. Over time, this can turn into a severe infection. That’s why you should always wear footwear to lower the risk of injury.
- Wash your feet every day:
Make sure you wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water. You don’t need to soak your feet completely. Make sure the water temperature is right. After washing, dry them completely by patting each foot with a towel rather than rubbing them vigorously. Be careful when drying between your toes. After drying, apply lotion to the top and bottom, but not between your toes (as it can lead to infection).
- Wear properly fitting shoes:
When it comes to buying new shoes, you need to make sure they fit you properly. Poor-fitting shoes can lead to ulcers and infection. To choose the right shoes, here are some tips:
- Go buy shoes late in the evening when your feet are larger to get the right fit.
- Check your foot size in its width, length, back, and bottom of the heel. This measurement helps you find the right shoes. Your foot can change its shape if you develop deformity or flat feet over time.
- Avoid wearing pointy shoes and high heels, because they tighten your toe boxes. The shoe boxes should be wide enough to give comfortable space for the toes.
- Wear new shoes for only 2 hours or less because wearing the same pair every day may increase the risk of infection.
- Don’t go on long walks without a break, and after removing your shoes and socks, always check for signs of redness or ulcers.
- You may need to choose custom diabetic-friendly shoes that have room for diabetic orthotics to lower pressure and provide stability for your at-risk foot.
- Trim your toenails straight across:
Make sure when you trim your toenails, you cut them straight across and gently smooth those sharp edges with a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, consult your doctor. Taking good care of nails helps prevent infection.
- Protect your feet while exercising:
Exercising regularly helps to keep your blood flow healthy and helps you maintain a healthy weight. You need to make sure you wear comfortable shoes during your workouts. Avoid exercise if you have open sores on your feet. But exercise helps you prevent other things that lead to foot sores and ulcers, such as mobility issues, weakened muscles, balance problems, gait or posture changes, and peripheral neuropathy. Your diabetes care doctor will recommend aerobic activities or resistance training for diabetes management.
- Don’t smoke:
Smoking damages blood vessels and decreases the ability to deliver oxygen. If combined with diabetes, it can decrease the supply of oxygen-rich blood flow to your legs, which significantly increases the risk of amputation.
Complications of diabetes
If you don’t manage your diabetes properly, you are at risk of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes neuropathy
- Diabetes nephropathy
- Foot damage
- Skin and foot conditions
- Hearing impairment
- Cognitive decline
- Bone diseases
When to see a specialist?
You should see a specialist if you have any of the symptoms as follows:
- Pain in your legs or cramps in your buttocks, thighs, or calves during workouts.
- Tingling or burning sensation in the feet.
- Lose the ability to sense heat or cold.
- Feet shape changes over time.
- Hair loss on your toes, feet, and lower legs.
- Dry, cracked skin on your feet.
- Changes in color or temperature of the feet.
- Thickened, yellow toenails.
- Developing fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
- A blister, sore, ulcer, infected corn, or ingrown toenail.
If you have diabetes, you need to take good care of your feet to prevent complications. Make sure you manage your diabetes well and follow the above-mentioned diabetes foot care tips to keep your feet healthy and safe from complications.
Need help with diabetes foot care? Visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!!! At Doral Health & Wellness, we have Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your pain, we recommend consulting with our healthcare provider to explore the right treatments or therapies for you. Always listen to your body and adjust your daily routine to prioritize your well-being. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you are in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call + 1 718 367 2555 or send an email toinfo@doralhw.org.
