The Diabetic foot

It is a poignant statistic: every 30 seconds, a lower limb is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world. If you have Diabetes, proper foot care is very important. Poor foot care with diabetes can lead to serious health problems. So why does Diabetes affect the foot so severely? Diabetes damages the nerves, hence damage can occur in your feet and any injury will no be detected – this is called peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes also affects circulation. Poor circulations leads to poor healing in the foot. Diabetes slows down the immune system and makes you more prone to infections. The immune system is further slowed down by poor circulation to the foot.

So how can you take care of your feet? Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, redness, blisters, swelling and nail problems. Use of magnifying glass if your notice anything or have poor eyesight. Ask a family member to inspect your feet if you are unable to. Wash your feet gently with soap and water (always check the temperature of the water before). Be gently in washing your feet, use a soft towel or sponge. Make sure to dry between toes! If your feet are dry, use moisturizer to keep the skin from itching or cracking. Cut your nails carefully, don’t forget to file the edges! Never trim corns or calluses, bathroom surgery can lead to a slew of complications, let the doctor do the job. Your socks and shoes are the most important aspect of preventative care. Wear clean, dry socks every day, wear them around the house and even to bed. Do not use tight elastic, or thick bulky socks. Always inspect your shoes for any wear/tear and for any pebbles that might have gotten in. Most importantly: keep your blood sugar levels in check! And Get periodic foot exams. See your podiatrist on a regular basis for an examination to help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.


Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com