Diabetes and Foot Care.
 

 

Diabetic Foot Care

Since problems of the feet often occur among diabetes, Foot care must be given more attention. There are two ways problems can go to your feet. The poor supply of blood leads to slower healing. Nerve damage can also cause numbness in your feet which prevents you from feeling the cuts or blisters that may result in ulcers.

If more attention is paid to the feet and proper care and immediate action are taken, foot problems may not occur. You should have your feet examined by a podiatrist or doctor once, if not more often, to know the problems earlier in order to prevent complications.( see Diabetes Complications)

Circulation

When blood circulation is not good, and blood supply to the feet is affected, cuts as well as sores may of difficulty in healing. Pain and cramps in the back portion of your legs during a walk can be an early indication of weak blood circulation.

Blood circulation problems can be due to arteries being hardened or becoming narrow when they get clogged up. The usual causes of clogging are:

  • High blood fats
  • Smoking
  • Elevated levels of blood sugar.

Ways to improve blood circulation

Below are some of the ways you can have better blood circulation:

  • Keep your blood fat levels under control.
  • Keep blood glucose levels within the normal range.
  • Stop smoking as it causes uncontrolled tightening of the muscles and leads to blood vessels becoming narrower. As a result, smokers suffer more heart attacks, strokes as well as circulation problems when compared with non-smokers.
  • A daily brisk walk or another form of exercise will assist a better flow of blood.
  • Do not use garters and socks with tops which can tighten too much and obstruct blood flow.

Diabetic Foot Care – Video Guide

Nerve Supply

Nerves perform a kind of communication, taking feeling from any part of your body to the brain. The nerves most probably affected by diabetes are those in your feet.

Pain, numbness or insensitivity in the feet can be the results of neuropathy (damaged nerves). When the feet are cut, have blisters or suffer from burns, you may not feel them even when they have developed into ulcers. There are people who suffer from discomfort, like burning, numbness and pain due to neuropathy. It is especially bad at night.

Diabetic’€™s Foot Care

All diabetics should have a medical practitioner or podiatrist examine their feet once, if not more often, each year. Detecting foot problems early can stop the development complications, such as ulcers. It has been claimed that diabetes is the cause of gangrene (dead/black tissue). In many cases, gangrene is actually due to delayed treatment of complications involving the feet.

Daily Foot Care

Here are some advices for daily foot care to avoid foot problems.

  1. Examine your feet each day for swelling, heat, redness because they can indications of infection.
  2. Your feet should be washed every day. Make sure that places between the toes are thoroughly dried.
  3. Methylated spirits can be used if you find moisture in places between your toes.
  4. Dry skin, particularly cracked heels, should be moisturized with sorbolene cream. Do not apply it on places between the toes.

Avoiding injury to your feet

Below are some suggestions:

  • Always wear shoes.
  • Wear suitable shoes to give your feet protection.
  • Injury can be avoided by wearing shoes which are fitting and give protection to most parts of the feet. Do not wear shoes which expose the toes.
  • Clip your toenails. Cut them according to the shape of the toes. File all rough edges of the nails.
  • Have a podiatrist treat your corns and calluses.
  • Use your elbow to test the bath water before going into it.
  • Do not place your feet too near to radiating heaters.
  • Search for sign and symptoms which show that problems exist. They may be poor circulation, reduced sensations, distorted foot structure or bad hygiene.

When purchasing new shoes

Advices given are:

  • Don’€™t buy shoes that you are not completely comfortable with.
  • Avoid shoes which expose or cramp the toes.
  • Measure your feet, then slip your feet into the shoes to see if they are long, wide and deep enough for your feet.

Have an appointment with a podiatrist

Podiatrists are the health specialist in caring for lower limbs and feet. They are well-trained in dealing with prevention, diagnosis as well as management of health problems concerning the feet. A referral is not needed to see a podiatrist. However, it can save you money for the service if a referral from a medical practitioner in your Team Care Arrangement (TCA).

With poor circulation or a slight numbness in your feet, you should:

  • Consult a podiatrist once, if not more often, each year.
  • Let your corns as well as calluses be treated by a health professional.

When to consult your doctor

Your doctor should be consulted if:

  • You have pain, throbbing, heat, swelling or loss of skin’s original color in the feet.
  • Broken skin or injury becomes inflamed or cannot heal.
  • Your medical practitioner.
  • The nearest podiatrist.
  • Your community health centre.
  • Diabetes educator.
  • Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation and cause damage to the nerves in the feet.
  • Request your medical practitioner to check your feet at regular intervals for any sign of nerve damage or poor circulation.
  • Avoid foot problems by giving attention to your feet and taking immediate action on the problem.

Who to call

  • Your medical practitioner.
  • The nearest podiatrist.
  • Your community health centre.
  • Diabetes educator.

Things to remember

  • Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation and cause damage to the nerves in the feet.
  • Request your medical practitioner to check your feet at regular intervals for any sign of nerve damage or poor circulation.
  • Avoid foot problems by giving attention to your feet and taking immediate action on the problem.
*** Posted By Natasha A.Nada ***