Diabetes & Foot Problems

Diabetes patients frequently experience foot issues. You might be concerned that diabetes will cause you to lose a toe, foot, or leg, or you may know someone who has, but by taking daily care of your feet, you can reduce your risk of developing diabetes-related foot issues. Maintaining control of your blood sugar, sometimes referred to as blood glucose, helps support the health of your feet.

What foot problems could diabetes cause?

Diabetes may eventually result in diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, which can tingle and hurt and cause you to lose feeling in your feet. A blister on your foot or a rock inside your sock may go unnoticed when you lose feeling in your feet, which can result in cuts and sores. Infection can spread to cuts and sores.

Diabetes might also result in less blood flowing to your feet. It may be difficult for an infection or sore to heal if there is insufficient blood flow to your legs and feet. A severe infection can occasionally never recover. Infection could result in gangrene.

Diabetes can cause nerve injury, which is uncommon, but can result in foot alterations like Charcot's foot. An initial sign of Charcot's foot may be redness, warmth, and swelling. Later on, the bones in your feet and toes may move or shatter, giving your feet an unusual form like a "rocker bottom."

How can I maintain the health of my feet?

Create a diabetic self-care strategy, which is an action plan for how you will manage your diabetes, in collaboration with your medical team. You should have a foot care strategy. Your medical team can include a podiatrist, sometimes known as a foot doctor, as well as other specialists.

Add the following actions to your foot care routine:

·        How to Care for Your Feet

·        Every day, check your feet.

·        Each day, wash your feet.

·        Gently shave off corns and calluses.

·        Straight across nail trims are best.

·        Always put on socks and shoes.

·        Defend your feet against extreme heat and cold.

·        Maintain blood circulation to your feet.

·        Check your feet every time you see a doctor.

Examine your feet daily.

Despite having foot issues, you may not be experiencing foot discomfort. You can find issues early and stop them from getting worse by checking your feet every day. Checking your feet each night when you take off your shoes will help you remember. Additionally, look in your toes. If you find it difficult to bend over to see your feet, consider looking at them in a mirror or having someone else do it.

Look for issues like these:

·        wounds, sores, or flaming lesions

·        swelling or blisters with fluid within

·        The edge of your nail grows into your skin in an ingrown toenail.

·        Having too much pressure or rubbing on one area of the body can result in corns or calluses, which are rough patches of skin.

·        Those flesh-collared growths on the soles of the feet are called plantar warts.

·        Runner's foot

·        warm regions

Your doctor may advise measuring the skin's temperature on various sections of your feet if you have specific foot issues that increase the likelihood that you will get a sore on your foot. A "hot spot" may indicate the beginning of a blister or an ulcer.

Put a bandage on a blister, cut, or sore. Calluses and smooth corns, as described below.

Daily, wash your feet

Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water with soap. Make sure the water is not too hot by testing it. To check the temperature of the water, you can use a thermometer (90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit are safe). Your skin will become excessively dry if you wet your feet.

Put talcum powder or corn-starch between your toes after washing and drying your feet. The skin between the toes frequently remains wet. Dry skin will be maintained by powder, assisting in infection prevention.

Always put on socks and shoes.

·        Always put on socks and shoes. Even while you are indoors, avoid wearing only socks or going barefoot. Your feet could get harmed if you step on something. You might not experience any discomfort and be unaware that you injured yourself.

·        Before slipping your feet into your shoes, ensure sure the interior is smooth and clear of any pebbles or other foreign items.

·        To avoid blisters and sores, be sure to wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes. Pick out some well-fitting, spotless, softly cushioned socks. Best socks have no seams.

·        Put on comfortable, foot-protective shoes. Here are some pointers for selecting the proper kind of footwear:

·        Shoes for walking and exercise are suitable for daily wear. They provide stability and let your feet to "breathe."

·        Avoid wearing shoes made of vinyl or plastic because they cannot flex or "breathe."

·        Make sure the shoes you buy fit well and provide space for your toes. To discover the greatest fit, buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their fullest.

·        You might require special footwear or orthotics, often known as shoe inserts, if your feet no longer fit the same way they used to, like Charcot's foot. If you suffer from bunions, hammertoes, or other foot issues, inserts might also be necessary.

Only wear new shoes for a short time at first to break them in, and then inspect your feet for any uncomfortable spots.

Medicare Plan B coverage these specialised shoes or inserts might be covered by health insurance plans from external link and other sources. Find out if your insurance policy covers your specialty footwear or inserts.