3 Key Components of Diabetic Foot Care

Nov 01, 2022

Most people with diabetes know they have to watch their blood sugar. But, did you realize you also have to take special care of your feet? If you have diabetes, don’t ignore these three crucial components of diabetic foot care.

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.

1. Prevention

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:

  • Check your feet for redness, injury, or damage 
  • Wear shoes that fit properly
  • Avoid going barefoot
  • Elevate your feet when seated
  • Wiggle your toes for a bit, several times
  • Don’t smoke

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.

2. Maintenance

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:

  • Checking for feeling and blood flow to your feet
  • Evaluating the fit of your shoes
  • Looking for signs of skin or foot problems, such as cracks or fungal infections
  • Assessing the shape and structure of your foot
  • Treating foot issues, such as corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails

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.

3. Urgent care

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:

  • Cracked, dry skin on your feet
  • Yellow, thickened toenails
  • Fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot
  • Changes in foot temperature or color
  • Loss of sensation in the feet
  • Changes in foot shape
  • Hair loss on the toes, feet, and lower legs
  • Pain, tingling, or burning in your feet
  • Cramping or pain in your legs, calves, buttocks, or thighs during activity

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.