Diabetes can cause two potentially dangerous threats to your feet. It can damage the nerves in your feet and it can reduce blood flow to your feet. When the network of nerves in your feet is damaged, the sensation of pain in your feet is reduced. Because of this, you can develop a blister or cut your foot without realizing it. Diabetes also can narrow your blood vessels, reducing the blood flow to your feet. With less blood to nourish tissue in your feet, it is harder for sores to heal. An unnoticed cut or sore hidden beneath your socks and shoes quickly develop in to a larger problem. So care of the feet is an essential part in the management of diabetes.
Taking Care of Your Feet Everyday
If you can't see some parts of your feet, use a mirror or ask a family member or a friend to examine those locations. Look for the following
- Blisters, cuts and bruises
- Cracking, peeling and wrinkling
- Redness, red streaks and swelling
- Feet that are pinker, paler, darker or redder than usual, possibly due to pressure from tight shoes
Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Wash your feet each day with lukewarm water. To avoid burning your feet, test the water temperature with thermometer. It should be no warmer than 90 degree Fahrenheit. Or test the water by touching a dampened washcloth to a sensitive area of your body such as face, neck and wrist.
Wash your feet with a gentle massage like motion, using a soft wash cloth or sponge and a mild soap. Dry your skin by blotting or patting. Don't rub because you may accidentally damage your skin. Dry carefully between your toes to help prevent fungal infection.
Moisturize Your Skin
When diabetes damages your nerves, you may sweat less than normal, leaving you skin dry, especially on your feet. Dry skin can itch and crack, increasing your risk of an infection. To prevent dry skin, use a moisturizer regularly.
Keep the Blood Flowing
To keep blood flowing to your feet, put your feet up while sitting, and then move your ankles and toes frequently. Don't cross your legs for long and don't wear tight socks.
Wear Dry, Clean Socks
Wearing socks made of fibers that pull sweat away from your skin is essential while taking care of your feet. They should be made of cotton and special acrylic fibers and not nylon. Avoid those with tight elastic bands that reduce circulation or that are thick and bulky. Bulky socks often fit poorly and a poor fit can irritate your skin. It is also a good idea to avoid mended socks with thick seams that can rub and irritate your skin. Indentations from the socks are not a problem for most people. But among people with diabetes they can cause pressure sores.
Trim Your Toenails Carefully
Cut your toenails straight across so that they are even with the end of your toe. File rough edges so that you don't have any sharp areas that could cut the neighboring toe. Be especially careful not to injure the surrounding skin. If you notice redness around the nails report this to your regular doctor or your podiatrist.
Use Foot Products Cautiously
Don't use a file or scissors on calluses or bunions. You can injure your feet that way. Also don't put chemicals on your feet, such as wart removers. See your regular doctor or podiatrist for problem calluses, corns, bunions or warts.
Wear Shoes to Protect Your Feet From Injury
To help prevent injury to your feet and toes:
Protect against heat and cold - Don't use heating pads on your feet. Use proper footwear to avoid hot pavement in hot weather and to avoid frost bite in cold weather.
Always wear shoes- Around the house wear sturdy slippers
Check your shoes- Look inside your shoes for tears or rough edges that might injure your feet. Shake out your shoes before you put them on to make sure nothing is inside such as a pebble.
Select a comfortable and safe style of shoe- Good shoe design includes soft leather tops, closed toe design, low healed shoes, flexible soles made from crepe or foam rubber. Have at least two pairs of shoes so that you can switch shoes each day.Dont wear wet shoes because moisture can shrink the material and make your shoes rub against your feet.
When to See Your Doctor
Though you have to take care of your feet yourself you have to consult your doctor once in a while. Consider taking your shoes and socks off very time you visit your doctor to make sure your doctor examines your feet routinely. Keep in mind that even people who take good care of their feet sometimes develop foot sores. Most of these should begin to heal within a couple of days to two weeks. However if a wound is not healing, appears to getting bigger or looks as if it may be infected see your regular doctor or your podiatrist.
Also see your doctor if you have a tingling feeling, numbness, pain in your feet or toes. This could indicate nerve damage.
