Foot disease is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and as rates of diabetes continue to rise, education and awareness of prevention are of utmost importance. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your feet if you are living with diabetes.
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to nerve and blood vessel damage. Because of this, people with diabetes are more likely to develop foot problems, and these problems are more likely to progress and become serious. Reduced sensation in the feet due to nerve damage (neuropathy), and impaired circulation due to vessel damage (peripheral vascular disease) increase the risk of injury to the feet. These injuries can go unnoticed due to lack of sensation, and infection can set in and worsen quickly.
Identifying problems and receiving early treatment greatly reduces the risk of the spread of infection, gangrene, and amputation. Performing daily foot care can help with early detection and prevention of foot issues, and should start as soon as you are aware that you have diabetes.
Those most at risk of developing foot complications are people who:
- have uncontrolled blood sugars
- smoke
- have had diabetes for a long time
- are overweight
- are over 40 years of age
- have hypertension
- have high cholesterol
Prevention is key! Here are some tips to help you to take good care of your feet and prevent complications:
- Inspect your feet daily (use a mirror, if needed, to view the soles of your feet).
- Wash and dry your feet gently and carefully every day (use warm water, not hot). Dry well, especially in-between toes.
- Apply lotion to feet and ankles (not in-between toes).
- Don’t go barefoot.
- Wear light-colored socks and supportive, well-fitting shoes (when buying shoes, try them on at the end of the day when feet tend to be larger, to ensure shoes are not too tight).
- Check the insides of shoes frequently for sharp objects such as pebbles which can cause damage.
- Trim toenails straight across, not too close to the skin, and use a nail file for corners or sharp edges (or have them trimmed by your podiatrist).
- Leave corn and callus treatment/removal to your podiatrist.
- Have your feet examined by your primary care doctor at every visit, and be sure to see your podiatrist at least once per year, more often if you have nerve damage (neuropathy) or blood vessel damage/circulation issues.
- Exercise, with approval from your doctor, to increase blood flow.
- Report a blister, cut, sore, ulcer, or any change to the skin or nails to your provider as soon as possible.
Spending just a few minutes a day on foot care can give you a lifetime of healthy feet and keep you moving for a long time to come!
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All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.