What is Diabetic Foot?
Diabetes can be potentially very dangerous for the feet, due to the potential for nerve damage, reduced blood flow and a weakened immune system. A small cut may go unnoticed (as might a rock in a shoe) and this could lead to an infection or wound that could put a diabetic patient at risk for amputation.
Some of the recommendations for preventative diabetic footcare include:
- Daily foot inspection for cuts, blisters, corns, and ingrown toenails.
- Washing feet in lukewarm water and drying off between the toes. Never moisturize between the toes as moisture tends to accumulate there and cause open sores.
- Periodic foot exams by a podiatrist.
- Never going barefoot. Wear shoes, sandals or slippers with a solid sole to protect against cuts or scrapes on the bottom of the foot.
- Wear white or light colored socks so that if there is a cut of any sort you can see any bleeding.
- Never cutting calluses yourself and being careful when cutting your nails, or getting this done by a podiatrist.
- Keep blood sugars under control.
- Do not smoke (smoking reduces blood flow in your feet).