“People with diabetes may need to check their blood sugar several times a day to keep it in a healthy range, and they also need to check their feet once a day.
Why should I check my feet? Because diabetes can lead to poor blood flow to the foot, which can prevent small cuts or ulcers from healing and can take longer to recover.
If the blood sugar is not properly controlled, the feet may feel only slightly uncomfortable or not at all, and the patient may not even realize that he or she has a minor injury. Diabetes may also cause the skin on the feet to dry out, cracking the heels.
The biggest risk is infection
- Bacteria or fungi can get into small cuts or cracks, so if you think you have an infection, tell your doctor right away.
- Early treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and may also reduce the risk of developing a major disease. Some people with diabetes who develop severe infections may even have to undergo surgery to remove part or all of the affected limb.
- So check your feet carefully every day to keep the skin clean and moisturized, avoid injury, and protect them from small cuts, corns, calluses, blisters, or wounds.
Foot daily checklist
- Foot exams are performed regularly on a daily basis.
- Check in good light in order to detect all problems.
- Ask for help if it is difficult to bend over or if you are unable to check both feet.
- Observe both feet, toes, and heels for any cuts, sores, bruises, calluses, blisters, abrasions, scratches, or skin discoloration.
- Check for cuts or fungal infections between the toes that could lead to athlete’s foot.
- Check for any changes in the toenails.
- Notice any dry and cracked skin on both feet, toes and heels.
Foot care tips
- Wear thick, soft socks to protect your feet while walking and don’t wear socks that could rub the skin at the stitches and cause blisters.
- Wear comfortable, properly sized shoes; shoes that are too tight or too loose may cause blisters to develop.
- Do not go barefoot to avoid stepping on small stones, nails, or small pieces of glass that could cause a cut, and wear slippers at home.
- Make sure your socks and shoes are clean inside and that there are no small rocks or debris that could cut your feet.
- Keep your feet clean and don’t soak them for long periods of time to avoid drying out your skin.
- After showering or bathing, dry your feet and make sure they are dry between your toes.
- Dry your feet with a towel after showering to moisturize the skin. Apply lotion or petroleum jelly to the skin and heels to prevent dryness and cracking. Do not apply lotion or petroleum jelly between your toes, as this can lead to infection.
- In winter, when extreme cold and central heating systems can cause dry skin, pay special attention to moisturizing and keeping your feet warm, and wear socks to bed if you have a cold.
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How do I get a manicure and pedicure?
- Don’t let the corners of your toenails grow into the skin, which can lead to ingrown nails.
- File your toenails with a nail file, or have a manicurist or podiatrist trim and file them neatly. If you get a pedicure at a nail salon, bring your own nail care tools.
- Do not use any sharp tools to clean your toenails or remove calluses, as this may lead to infection from accidental cuts. After a shower or bath, you can use a pumice stone to gently trim away dead heel skin without rubbing with excessive force.
How do I prevent infection?
- Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy blood flow rate.
- Watch your blood sugar levels, follow your doctor’s dietary recommendations, and your foot problems may decrease when you control your blood sugar and weight.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking may cause blood vessels to narrow and increase the risk of developing foot disease.
- In addition, be aware of any cuts, scratches, abrasions, blisters, corns, or calluses, even if they are small, and do not let your guard down. If treatment is needed, please inform your doctor or podiatrist.
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Check for any symptoms that may be signs of infection
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- For example, redness, swelling, or fluid flow. If you think an infection has developed, seek medical attention.
- Be aware of foot ulcers, which usually appear on the belly or bottom of the toes, and tell your doctor if you think you have a foot ulcer.
- Finger (toe) nails that look thick, yellow, distorted, streaky, or grow abnormally can be a sign of injury or infection.
- If the foot, ankle, or toe is swollen, red, hot, deformed, or changes in size, or if it is injured during normal movement, a sprain or fracture may occur. Please seek immediate medical attention or medical help.
Time to seek medical attention
- Nerve damage (also called diabetic neuropathy) may increase the risk of developing Charcot foot, a serious condition that causes changes in the shape of the foot.
- Call your doctor if you develop minor foot conditions such as bunions, mallet toes, plantar warts, ringworm, or fungal infections, which should be treated before they get worse.
- If you find warts, corns, or calluses on your feet, do not try to treat them yourself with over-the-counter patches or liquids, or try to remove them from your skin. Have it safely removed by a podiatrist or doctor.”