Diabetic Foot Care: Tips and Tricks
Diabetic foot care should be a priority in your daily self-care routine. Loss of sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold is one complication of diabetes that may lead to a worse quality of life. You may have a cut or blister on your foot and not know it until it becomes infected. Complications with the feet may also be caused by diabetes, which causes blood vessels to shrink and stiffen, resulting in impaired circulation (blood flow). If your blood flow is poor, your foot will have a harder time-fighting infection and healing. Small wounds and ulcers may become much larger infections, which can end in amputation, but with diabetic foot care The Woodlands, you can safeguard your feet.
If you have diabetes and neuropathy and are concerned about injuring yourself or having foot issues, consider adopting some preventive measures.
Check for cuts, scrapes, and sores on your feet daily
Damage to the nerves in the feet is a common symptom of diabetes, making it difficult to detect foot problems such as blisters and cracks. Diabetic patients should monitor their skin for discoloration, sores, or dry, cracked skin. If you can’t see all of your feet clearly, put a mirror on the floor so you can see beneath your feet, or contact a friend or family member for assistance.
Keep your feet clean by washing and drying them regularly
The feet must be kept clean. But remember not to leave them in the water for too long since this can cause the skin to become dry. Cleanse with warm water and gentle soap. Instead of rubbing, pat your skin dry. Get your feet completely dry. Always moisturize or use petroleum jelly to avoid dryness and cracking after washing your hands. But avoid doing so in the space between your toes; doing so might spread infection. Before putting on socks and shoes, sprinkle some non-medicinal powder on your feet to prevent moisture buildup.
Due to exposure to low temperatures and indoor heating systems, dry skin is a common wintertime problem. Soak your feet with warm water and apply lotion on them often. If you tend to suffer from cold feet at night, you should wear socks to bed.
If you have foot pain, see a podiatrist
Never attempt to self-treat corns, calluses, or bunions. Both over-the-counter medications and do-it-yourself surgical procedures may aggravate the skin. It would help if you replaced this with frequent visits to a podiatrist.
Pick out the proper footwear
It is best to wear shoes at all times, even around the house. Socks, shoes, or even house slippers provide additional protection for your feet. The use of moisture-wicking socks is also recommended for this purpose. To avoid injury, always examine the ground for sharp things like pebbles before putting on your shoes, and always choose a pair of shoes that fits well without squeezing your toes or rubbing your feet raw. If your current footwear isn’t cutting, see your physician about therapeutic footwear and inserts.
Quit smoking
The negative effects of smoking are widespread, affecting every part of your body. Cigarette chemicals damage and restrict your blood vessels, so if you smoke, your feet won’t get enough of the nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood that helps them resist illness and stay healthy. Patients with diabetes have preexisting risk factors that put their blood vessel health at risk.
Take care of your feet and body as a whole by avoiding the causes of neuropathy and poor circulation. Quit smoking and maintain healthy levels of blood sugar, hypertension, and cholesterol by following the recommendations of your diabetes care team. Consult a medical professional immediately if you have tingling, numbness, ulcers, or wounds that refuse to heal.