Diabetes is familiar to all of us. Because of its high incidence, it is one of the “three major killers” of human beings, along with coronary heart disease and tumors.
Diabetes is called a killer because of the many complications and the severity of the disease, which can have a serious impact on the quality of life of patients. One of the more serious complications is the diabetic foot, which can even require amputation if not treated properly.
What is a diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot is a condition caused by persistent high blood sugar or repeated blood sugar fluctuations, resulting in vascular and neurological lesions that cause pain and loss of skin sensation when walking; if a wound or ulcer develops, it can easily become infected and gangrenous, making it difficult to cure.
This is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and is also an important cause of death and disability in diabetes.
How can I tell if I have a diabetic foot?
Diabetic patients can check themselves to see if they have the following conditions.
Cold and swollen lower extremities with numbness, pain or dullness of sensation, or even loss of sensation ;
Weakness or loss of vascular pulsation in the back of the foot;
The color gradually turns purplish when the foot drops down;
There is no obvious discomfort when you are not walking, but when you walk, you experience soreness and swelling and have to stop to rest;
Changes in bones as well as muscles, such as muscle atrophy, foot deformity, etc.
If a diabetic patient is found to have one of the above conditions, it is recommended to seek medical consultation and treatment as soon as possible.
What should I do if I already have a diabetic foot?
After the onset of diabetic foot, the most important task is still to control the blood sugar level.
And these six details in life, for diabetic foot patients is also extremely critical:.
1, do not walk barefoot
Because diabetes can lead to nerve damage, the patient’s feet will be very insensitive, so it is likely that walking can not notice small stones or other things and injury, which may lead to serious infection.
2.Keep your feet clean
Wash your feet with water and soap at the right temperature every day, which can play a role in preventing infection.
However, take care not to test the water temperature with your feet, because diabetics tend to feel impaired, so this is the time to ask family members to work on your behalf, or use a thermometer.
In addition, do not rub your feet vigorously with a towel, but dry them carefully. Especially between the toes, to try to keep dry, to avoid breeding pathogenic bacteria.
3, keep the skin of the foot soft and moist
Use lotion or other skin care products to prevent dry and cracked foot skin, which can reduce the risk of infection.
Be careful not to leave lotion between your toes.
4. Trim your toenails regularly
Regular nail trimming helps prevent some minor foot injuries, but avoid cutting to the corners of the toes or other cuts that are not good enough to trim, you can use a nail file or emery.
If you find problems with toenails, see a doctor in a timely manner and must prevent infection in a timely manner.
5.Keep your feet warm
Wear loose socks to bed ;
Don’t let your feet get wet in the rain or snow;
Wear warm socks and shoes in winter ;
Try not to use hot water bags, kettles or electric blankets for warmth, and don’t put your feet in front of electric heaters to avoid burns caused by dulled senses.
6.Quit smoking
Smoking impairs blood vessel function and reduces the body’s ability to deliver oxygen. For diabetics, smoking can significantly increase the risk of amputation in the long run, even including the hands, which can experience the same problems as the feet.
Diabetes can stay with a patient for a long time and the subtle damage that can occur cannot be ignored. Patients should take preventive and control measures to protect their feet in order to avoid adverse consequences and regret for the rest of their lives.