Routine Diabetic Foot Care You Can Trust

What You Need To Know

Understanding your risk level is the first step to keeping your feet healthy.

Preventive Foot Care for Diabetes

People with diabetes need to take special care with their feet, since they are especially susceptible to foot problems. Poor circulation and nerve damage (known as peripheral neuropathy) are two aspects of the disease that can lead to serious complications. A lack of feeling may keep you from knowing there’s an issue, and even something as small as a scratch can quickly turn into a major concern.

It is important to recognize that not all patients with diabetes are at the same risk for getting into trouble with their feet. Some patients we will want to see every three to four months for what is frequently called preventive diabetic foot care, while others can go a year before having another foot evaluation. It is important to know where you stand.

Because it’s important to catch any foot problems before they become serious, those with diabetes should perform foot self-exams on a daily basis. Inspect for things like swelling, redness, and temperature change, all signs of possible problems. Also, look for calluses and corns that often develop on pressure areas like the ball of the foot. If your heels are cracked from dryness, those cracks may worsen and, in some cases, they can get infected, just as cuts and blisters can.

If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes and need to determine your risk, if you suffer from numbness and need your feet checked on a regular basis, or if you are dealing with an ulcer that has been hard to heal, please contact our specialists at Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists to schedule a comprehensive foot assessment.

Daily Prevention and Ongoing Support

If you have diabetes, there are steps you can take to avoid problems that may occur. Never go barefoot. Sensation loss can prevent you from realizing you have stepped on a sharp rock or piece of glass. Any abrasion opens the door for infection, so keep this from happening by always wearing shoes or sandals.

Make sure the shoes you wear fit properly to avoid any rubbing that could cause blisters, and change your socks every day to keep them clean and dry. Keep your toenails trimmed, and when you wash your feet, use warm water and mild soap. Avoid hot water. Towel your feet off thoroughly, especially between toes where bacteria and fungi can build. Apply lotion to keep dryness at bay, avoiding between the toes. Protect your feet against extreme temperatures, testing bath water before jumping in feet first. While sitting, try not to cross your legs for long stretches, as this places pressure on the circulation and nerves of the extremities.

For patients who are at heightened risk, having a foot callus trimmed down every two to three months is an essential component to staying ulcer free. It is also important that higher risk patients get into protective and specialty footwear.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is also essential for keeping your weight at a healthy level and your blood glucose in check. We can help you develop a nutritional plan and an exercise program that suits your lifestyle. It’s easier to stick with a plan when you have support, and we are here to walk that path with you at every visit.