Dr. Amir Petrus Dawood
Diabetes can be dangerous to your feet—even a small cut can produce serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling in your feet. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you may not notice a foreign object in your shoe. As a result, you could develop a blister or a sore. This could lead to an infection or a nonhealing wound that could put you at risk for an amputation.
To avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg, follow these guidelines:
Inspect your feet daily. ...
Bathe feet in lukewarm, never hot, water. ...
Be gentle when bathing your feet. ...
Moisturize your feet but not between your toes. ...
Cut nails carefully. ...
Never treat corns or calluses yourself. ...
Wear clean, dry socks. ...
Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes.
Get periodic foot exams.
Do not smoke.
Never walk barefoot.
Consider using an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet.
Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing.
Wear socks to bed.
When to see your doctor
If you have any corns (thick or hard skin on toes), calluses (thick skin on bottom of feet), in-grown toenails, warts or slivers, have them treated by your doctor or a foot-care specialist (such as a podiatrist, chiropodist or experienced footcare nurse).
Do not try to treat them yourself.
If you have any swelling, warmth, redness or pain in your legs or feet, see your doctor or foot specialist right away.
Have your bare feet checked by your doctor at least once a year. In addition, ask your doctor to screen you for neuropathy and loss of circulation at least once a year.
Take your socks off at every diabetes-related visit to your doctor and ask him or her to inspect your feet.
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