If you have diabetes, you likely know you need to monitor your diet and blood sugar. But, that’s not the end of the story. You also need to monitor your feet.
Having high levels of blood sugar can lead to the development of neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage. This condition, which is prevalent in the feet, can cause tingling sensations and even numbness.
Because of this, you could have a blister or small cut and not even know it. And add poor circulation to the mix — which is a common complication in those with diabetes — and you could get an infection that could quickly become dangerous.
Our team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle offers the highest standard in diabetic foot care, including wound care treatment. If you have diabetes, these three key components of diabetic foot care should always be top of mind.
Have you ever heard the saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? This sage advice came from Benjamin Franklin, and he could have been talking about diabetic foot care.
Too often, we end up reacting to a problem instead of taking the right steps to avoid it. Unfortunately, this can get dangerous when you have diabetes.
Approximately 50% of people with diabetes have nerve damage, most often in the feet and legs. With numbers like those, you should put a daily foot care plan in place to avoid issues before they arise.
Each day, you should:
You should also wash your feet each day in warm water and dry them thoroughly. Finally, moisturize the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes, because this could lead to an infection. And, when trimming your nails, cut them straight across, and smooth any sharp edges with a file.
In addition to having a good foot care “prevention plan” in place, you should have a solid maintenance strategy.
Maintaining your foot health when you have diabetes involves following your daily prevention plan and scheduling regular foot care appointments with a professional. Diabetic foot care appointments often include:
We also provide customized diabetic foot care education based on your unique needs. For example, we may show you how to perform foot exams at home or recommend diabetic shoes or custom orthotics.
Last but not least, you should seek urgent care as soon as possible at the first sign of a foot problem, even for something that may seem minor, such as new redness, a blister, or an ingrown toenail.
Other issues that you shouldn’t ignore include:
Many of these issues may seem small, but they can indicate the presence of a serious complication or lead to one if you have diabetes. So, if you notice any of these changes, don’t wait to see a specialist.
Living with diabetes can jeopardize your feet. However, following these three components of diabetic foot care can help you avoid dangerous complications in the years to come.
Do you have a diabetic foot care plan in place? We can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Advanced Care Foot and Ankle today. We have locations in Corona and Ontario, California.