5 Tips for Diabetic Foot Care

When it comes to diabetic foot care, knowing what to do, the importance of doing it, and how to do it can make a big difference.

Why Foot Care is Important with Diabetes

Diabetes itself is a health hazard, but foot-related pain can worsen the situation more than you can imagine. Diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy, which could make minor injuries to the feet become serious infections. As a result, you will need extra medical care and attention for your feet.

What are Some Convenient Tips for Diabetic Foot Care?

Here are five diabetic foot care tips that can help you reduce your risk for foot problems.

Tip 1: Check Your Feet Daily

For most people with diabetes, nerve damage is a significant concern. Diabetic neuropathy may reduce your ability to feel foot pain caused by cuts, blisters, or sore feet. Check your feet daily to ensure everything is in order.

How Should You Check Your Feet?

You can check your feet by looking out for blisters, cuts, swelling, corns, redness, calluses, or nail problems. Also, check for any changes in the color of your nails or skins around your feet.

But how do you do this? It’s simple. Use a magnifying glass or mirror to assess the bottom of your feet.

Tip 2: Do Not Go Barefoot

Never go barefoot. Doing this only puts you at a higher risk of experiencing related injuries to your foot. For example, you might step on something that could give you a cut or scratch. Put something on your feet to protect them from random accidents and injuries.

So How Do You Achieve This?

Always wear socks, slippers, or shoes. Wear protective socks or slippers while at home. But when stepping out, put on your socks and shoes – check for any pebbles and other foreign objects inside your shoes first.

Also, change your socks daily and ensure you wear dry socks or socks meant for patients with diabetes.

Tip 3: Use Lotion Properly on Your Feet

It is vital to moisturize your feet properly. Moisturizing your feet after washing and drying them with an ideal foot lotion can help you keep them hydrated through the day or night. You will be able to prevent possible cracking or itching of the skin, hence keeping bacteria and related infections at bay.

How Do You Use Lotion Properly?

Apply a thin layer of lotion around your feet. But avoid areas between your toes as they get less oxygen, which is a risk factor for fungal infections. Where possible, use a suitable powder on these areas. Additionally, you may go for an antiperspirant meant for the soles. The antiperspirant can help with excessive sweating on the feet.

Tip 4: No Surgeries at Home

At all costs, avoid taking matters into your own hands. For example, you might use unsterilized equipment when doing surgeries at home, exposing you to bacteria and more injuries.

Do You Just Want to Take Care of Random Calluses or Corns, but Don’t Know What to Do?

It’s simple. Reach out to our foot specialists to get appropriate treatment. We would love to help you check your feet and give you the help you achieve your best foot health!

Tip 5: Get Help Early on From A Podiatrist

Scheduling a quick appointment with our podiatrists will help you treat your foot on time. You will also be able to identify other hidden or developing injuries or conditions. Our doctors can perform many treatments, including diabetic foot care treatments.

What Should You Do?

Better to be safe than sorry and visit us at the first sign of a foot-related problem. Give us a call when you notice that something is wrong with your feet. But also schedule regular checkups to prevent or monitor diabetic foot complications.