Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetic Foot Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
Diabetes may lead to circulation issues that cause foot ulcers. Here we will focus only on how diabetes affects the feet and how the health issues it causes can lead to serious medical issues for your feet. Understanding prevention and treatment of diabetic foot problems before they affect your mobility is an extremely important part of guidelines for good Diabetic Foot Care daily practices.
If you have Diabetic Foot Problems – Contact Dr. Mikkel Jarman by calling (480) 497-3946 or schedule an appointment online.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Diabetes often causes circulation issues, especially as the disease progresses. Poor circulation particularly affects the feet. In addition, blood flow is how nutrients and oxygen are delivered throughout the body. With blood flow reduced, injuries take longer to heal and risk of infection increases.
Reduced blood flow to your feet also raises your risk of developing two other chronic conditions: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the result of damaged sensory nerves. When these nerves are healthy, they deliver pain messages to your brain and let you know when your feet are hot or cold. Peripheral neuropathy interrupts these messages, causing a loss of feeling in the foot. That means you may not notice an injury like a cut or blister.
Neuropathy also reduces your body’s natural abilities to heal and fight infection. That makes it even more likely a foot wound will take longer to heal and increases chances of infection.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, occurs when the arteries become hardened, known as ischemia. Blood does not flow properly through these ischemic arteries.
Older patients are at higher risk of developing PAD because diabetes damages their blood vessels over time. Risk is greatest for patients who are over the age of 65.
What Are Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Diabetic foot ulcers are a type of wound that usually develops on the bottom of the foot (also known as the plantar side). Cuts, blisters, cracked heels, and even redness could lead to a foot ulcer. Common signs of a diabetic foot wound include:
- Drainage that causes discoloration on socks or shoes
- Swelling
- An odor that indicates infection
It’s important to note that you may not feel any pain if you develop an ulcer, particularly if you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. That’s why it’s so important to check your feet daily as part of diabetic foot care.
If you discover a foot ulcer, it is imperative that you consult a podiatrist immediately. The quicker the healing process begins, the lower the odds of infection. Around 85 percent of patients who had a foot amputation first had an ulcer.
Diabetic Foot Care to Help Prevent Ulcers
Following proper diabetic foot care helps prevent injuries from forming.
- The most important thing you can do is inspect your feet daily. You may need a mirror or someone to help you, since you must check the bottoms of your feet as well as between your toes. But daily inspections are vital as many people with diabetes do not feel any pain from a foot ulcer.
- Always wear shoes and socks, even at home. Ask your podiatrist for diabetes-friendly recommendations.
- Wash your feet daily. Use mild soap with warm water – not hot – and do not soak your feet. After washing, pat feet dry instead of rubbing them.
- Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of feet, not between the toes. Moisturizing your feet reduces risk of developing cracked heels. However, the skin between your toes retains moisture naturally. Applying lotion there increases your risk of developing a fungal infection. Ask your podiatrist if they recommend any lotions or ointments for diabetes.
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation. Talk to your doctor about safe cardio workouts to help improve blood flow. Also, walk around at least once an hour if you sit or stand for long periods of time.
Your podiatrist is your best source of advice for proper diabetic foot care. Protecting your feet reduces risk of infection and even amputation, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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