Cause of Foot Problems.
Neuropathy diabetes may lead to various types of foot complications. Even the usual problems may become worse and end up with severe complications. Foot problems frequently occur due to nerve damage or neuropathy which brings numbness to the feet. A change in shape to the toes or feet, or poor blood circulation can also cause numbness.
Diabetic nerve damage can cause loss of sensation. You are unable to feel cold heat and pain. With such a loss of sensation, a foot injury may go unnoticed. You can be walking the whole day with a pebble inside your shoe without being aware of it. A blister may result without your knowing it. Injuries to your feet, such as this, may not be noticed until there is infection.
Due to nerve damage, toes and feet can change their shape. Find out from your health care team the use of therapeutic shoes as your feet will then be not able to use the usual shoes.
Skin Changes
Skin changes in your feet can be caused by diabetes. Sometimes, your feet can become too dry and the skin can crack and peel. It occurs when the nerves which regulate the moisture and the oil in your feet are unable to function.
In such a situation, you ought to dry your feet after your bath and use a thin layer of a scentless hand cream, plain petroleum jelly or any other similar products to keep in whatever moisture there is inside your feet.
Creams or oils should not be put between any of your toes since such additional moisture can result in infection. Your feet should not be soaked as that can dry your skin.
Foot Ulcers
Ulcers frequently happen on the areas always in contact with the floor, such as the lower part of your big toes and the balls of your feet. If ulcers occur along the sides of your feet, they are probably caused by shoes that do not fit your feet well. Whether your ulcer hurts or not, all of them have to be attended to by healthcare professional immediately. Remember that any neglect on this matter can lead to infection and possible amputation.
The action taken by your healthcare professional will depend upon your ulcer. The healthcare professional may want to know if your bone has been infected by getting x-rays of the affected foot. Any infected and dead tissues may need to be removed. You may have to be stay in a hospital to have this done. A culture of the ulcer may have to be done to know the type of infection you have so that the right antibiotics can be chosen.
Since continued pressure on the ulcer can cause it to become bigger and push the infection farther inside, you will be advised not to use your feet. To protect your foot, a cast, brace or special shoe can be put on it.
Your healthcare professional may get a vascular surgeon to attend to you if your blood flow is slow and your ulcer does not seem to heal. It is important to have good control over your diabetes as fighting infection is made more difficult by raised blood sugar levels.
Even when the foot ulcer has healed, your foot must be well looked after. The scar tissue covering the healed ulcer can deteriorate with ease. Special shoes may need to be worn after your ulcer has healed so that the area can be protected to ensure that the ulcer cannot return.
Ulcers and Amputations Due to Diabetic Complications – Video Guide
Calluses
Calluses on a diabeticâs feet happen more frequently and develop faster because under the feet are areas under high pressure. If there exists too many calluses on the soles, inserts and therapeutic shoes will be needed.
Calluses which are not trimmed can become thick before breaking down into ulcers and, eventually, infection. If you try to remove corns and calluses by cutting them, ulcers as well as infections can occur. Calluses ought to be cut by a healthcare professional. And do not use chemical agents to remove your corns and calluses as such products may harm your skin with burns.
Calluses can be kept under control with a pumice stone on the skin when it is wet. This can be done every day. Apply a lotion on the skin immediately after using the pumice stone.
Poor Circulation
Slow blood flow can reduce the feetâs capability to fight infection to achieve healing. With diabetes, the blood vessels in the legs and feet can become hardened and narrowed. Certain causes of poor blood circulation can be under your control. Stop smoking as this quickens the hardening of your arteries. Besides this, get your healthcare professionalâs advice on the control of your cholesterol level and blood pressure.
You may want to warm your feet if they are cold. However, when your feet are unable to feel the heat, you can easily get them 
burned when heating pads, hot water bottles or hot water is used. So, to avoid all these, warm socks should be used to overcome the cold in your feet.
Pain in the calves is experienced by some people when they walk fast, on a surface which is hard or up a slope. Intermittent claudication is the name of this condition. To stop such a pain, all that is needed is to take a rest. Those who experience such symptoms must stop smoking. Consult your healthcare professional about walking daily. Some patients can improve their circulation with medication.
Exercise is necessary to improve poor blood circulation. It gets the blood in the feet and the legs to flow better. Use comfortable, good-fitting, sturdy shoes for walking. Never walk when there are open sores.
Amputation
The possibility of leg or foot amputation is greater for diabetes. This is due to the fact that most people with diabetes have artery disease in the feet which lessens blood flow to them. Besides that, most diabetics suffer from nerve disease which lessens feeling. Both these conditions make it conducive for infections and ulcers to occur, which then result in amputation. Fortunately, with the right shoes and constant care, many amputations can be avoided.
So, good foot care and consultation on any foot condition with your healthcare professional are important. Find out about prescription shoes which are under insurance and Medicare coverage. Advice on ulcers and every foot problem given by your healthcare professional must always be followed.
Smoking is a big threat to the health of your feet as it affects your blood capillaries. With reduced flow of blood to your feet, foot complications such as ulcers find difficulty in healing. Many diabetics who required amputations are people who smoke.