Diabetic Foot Care

Why do diabetics need diabetic foot care?

Diabetes causes a number of health issues, but poor circulation and nerve damage are among the most dangerous to your foot health. When the nerves in your feet cannot properly transmit pain signals to your brain, you can sustain a cut or abrasion without noticing it.

Swift healing relies on proper circulation. Many people with diabetes cannot move adequate blood to their extremities, making the healing process far slower than it should be. This means that even a small blister or torn cuticle can quickly turn into a very serious wound.

What kinds of diabetic foot care services are available?

Routine visits allow your podiatrist to carefully check your feet for any signs of injury. Your podiatrist might also trim your toenails, remove any calluses, and look for indications that your shoes are creating friction that could damage your skin.

Specially designed diabetic shoes provide the support your feet need while reducing undue pressure. You might also try diabetic shoe inserts with your favorite shoes.

If you’ve already developed a wound on your foot, your podiatrist carefully removes all dead skin and thoroughly cleans and bandages the area. They also assess your blood flow and nerve function.

Diabetic foot care visits take very little time and can go a long way to prevent serious negative outcomes, up to and including amputation.

How can I perform diabetic foot care at home?

Embracing a solid at-home foot care routine can make a big difference in how diabetes affects your foot health. As with any new habit, it only takes a couple of weeks for daily foot care to become just another part of your daily routine.

Some of the things you can do to take great care of your feet at home include:

• Perform a quick daily check of all surfaces of your feet to look for signs of broken, inflamed, or thickening skin
• Avoid going barefoot, and wear socks or slippers at all times
• Wash your feet thoroughly every day, and fully dry your skin afterward
• Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes
• Maintain good blood flow by wiggling your toes frequently and putting your feet up while sitting
• See your podiatrist every three months for nail trimming to keep nails short and smooth.

To explore the benefits of professional diabetic foot care, call C&S Foot and Ankle today to book a visit, or spend a few moments online.