Importance of Foot Care In Diabetes - Brooklyn Podiatrists
Dyker Park Footcare, PLLC expert podiatrists specialize in helping people with diabetes identify early symptoms and reduce further complications.
Diabetes is a medical condition that does not only require constant care of your blood sugar levels but also your feet. Diabetics are at risk for developing serious foot ailments. Uncontrolled diabetes can possibly lead to poor circulation and nerve damage in the lower limbs. Complications from diabetes makes wound healing difficult and makes it easier for a troubling infection to set in.
Diabetes is a medical condition that does not only require constant care of your blood sugar levels but also your feet. This is because diabetics are at risk for developing serious foot conditions. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage and poor circulation in the extremities. Complications from diabetes makes wound healing difficult and makes it easier for infection to set in.
Eleven Tips for Diabetic Foot Health Care
Never ever walk barefoot even at your home. Do not expose your feet to extreme hot and extreme cold temperatures. Wear shoes at the beach or in a hot pavement.
Socks should be made of cotton or wool. Wear socks to protect your feet during cold nights.
Practice an active lifestyle. Move your toes and ankles up and down every 5 minutes for 2-3 times a day. This promotes better blood circulation.
Moisturize your feet – Use lotion or petroleum jelly on the top and bottom of your feet , but stay away from in-between toes.
Gentle care for corns and calluses - With the use of a pumice stone, gently smoothen corns and calluses.
Weekly trimming of toenails - Trim your toenails properly by cutting it straight across, and file the rough edges.
Foot wear - Keep your shoes and socks dry. Wear correct fitting shoes to prevent unnecessary friction between the skin and shoes. Ensure that there are no objects inside your shoes before putting them on.
Stop smoking - Smoking can damage small blood vessels in the feet.
Control your sugar levels and eat healthy - High levels of sugar in the blood can damage both the nerves and blood vessels.
Regular foot checks - Check your feet daily for wounds, blisters, redness, swelling and other conditions that might lead to injury. Use a mirror or ask a family member for help especially for those with poor eyesight or unable to bend down.
Wash your feet with lukewarm water and ensure that they are dry, especially the areas in-between the toes.
Foot Ulcers and wounds are difficult to detect because of their location on the foot. Early detection is troublesome because the lower limbs do not receive the same level of attention as other body parts. It is estimated that a large portion of diabetic hospital related admissions are lower limb related which makes it a special concern for diabetics and their doctors.
Dyker Park Footcare, PLLC is conventiently located in Brooklyn, our Podiatry team specializes in helping people suffering from diabetic foot conditions, foot ulcers and foot or ankle injuries. Make an appointment today for a diabetic foot examination with our expert Podiatrists.