YOUR FEET NEED EXTRA CARE
We provide excellent diabetic foot care at our clinics in DeSoto, Sunnyvale and Dallas, we see many diabetic patients with foot problems.
Diabetic patients need to pay close attention to the health of their feet. Serious complications, gangrene or amputation of a limb can develop from a seemingly minor injury to the foot such as a blister.
First there is the issue of sensitivity. If there is nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), diabetic patients may not be aware of an injury. They may not feel irritation from shoes that don’t fit properly, or pain from a cut or sore.
Diabetic patients may have poor blood circulation (peripheral artery disease), with damage to small blood vessels that inhibits healing and allows infection to take root. That’s why it’s so important to maintain proper blood flow.
Thirdly, deterioration in the motor nerves may result in poor balance or weakness in the feet or lower legs, which can lead to problems with gait.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can damage nerves and small blood vessels in the feet and leave them vulnerable to infection.
You can rest assured we provide you with the best in diabetic foot care no matter the severity.
For patients with diabetes, even a shoe that rubs against the skin and produces a blister can lead to a serious medical condition. To avoid complications, we encourage our patients to find our more about our diabetic foot care options and make sure you follow these recommendations.
GUIDELINES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES FOOT PAIN
- The most important recommendation for diabetic foot care & diabetes in general is to maintain a healthy blood sugar (glucose) level. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to a chain of complications.
- If you smoke, make a sincere attempt to quit. Smoking restricts blood circulation and inhibits healing.
- A daily foot inspection is strongly advised. Check for blisters, sores, and dry or cracked skin. Use a mirror to examine the bottom of the feet.
- Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, to avoid fungal infections.
- Leave a safe margin of toenail. Overly short nails can lead to ingrown toenails. Leave the trimming of calluses and corns to our medical staff.
- Wear clean, dry socks and change them every day. Cotton or wool are preferable to synthetics. If your feet perspire, change into dry socks.
- Check your shoes for pebbles and other irritants before each wearing.
- To keep your feet warm, wear socks around the house. It’s best to avoid heating pads or hot water bottles because you may not notice if the temperature is too hot.
- Exercise may improve circulation but stop and rest if your legs ache. Don’t try to walk if you have open sores on the feet.
- Report any sores, cuts or blisters to your doctor immediately.
STAY ON TOP OF DIABETIC FOOT CONDITIONS
Everybody needs a good foot and ankle doctor, but for people with diabetes, it’s a top priority. A serious or life-threatening complication can start as a seemingly trivial incident: a sore that doesn’t heal on the underside of the foot, for instance.
See your podiatric for the latest in diabetic foot care. Follow up on a regular basis for an examination to help prevent complications from diabetes. Our medical staff in DeSoto, Sunnyvale and Dallas are available to answer your questions.
