Caring For Diabetic Feet
Diabetic foot complications, when left untreated and unmitigated, can lead to a number of wide-ranging and severe conditions. If left unchecked, diabetic foot complications can lead to long-term nerve damage, chronic wounds, extraordinary injuries, and deformities.
At Walsh Podiatry, we want to ensure you have all the information you need on your feet. That's why we wrote this blog to answer all of your questions. Learn about common risks, prevention techniques, and other tips that can help you walk with confidence!
What can happen to my diabetic feet?
1. Nerves carry everything from touch and pain sensations to muscle movement signals, all while regulating digestion, hormone release, and many other automatic systems within the body.
High blood sugar levels can cause inflammation, pinching your feet's nerve endings and ultimately leaving you feeling tingling pain in your toes, burning pain in your soles and early stages of numbness. If left untreated, numbness from the legs up can spread and result in permanent damage.
2. If your foot stops receiving blood flow, you may feel tingling or numbness in that area. You may even have trouble walking. People with diabetes can be at risk for these common foot problems - and they can come on quickly, especially if your blood sugar is too high or too low.
3. When your feet are in pain, you can't feel a cut or bruise, let alone broken bones, infections or other lingering issues. Poor circulation to your feet can leave you vulnerable to serious problems — even when they don't seem like a big deal at the time.
4. Bones, ligaments, tendons, and skin need nutrients to heal properly. Without them, they can weaken and tear, crack, or snap. If you have diabetes, your body can't heal as well. You're more likely to develop foot problems like bunions and hammertoes.
5. If your foot becomes infected, it can result in amputation. If you have diabetes or circulatory problems, you're more likely to develop a condition called peripheral vascular disease. This disease can lead to an infection that does not respond to antibiotics and amputation is the only option for some people.
How can you prevent diabetic foot complications?
1. Checking your feet allows you to identify and treat any health issues before they become more serious. Your feet should have no visible cuts, bruises, lumps, or anything else that looks unhealthy or painful.
Checking your feet is a good practice if you want to identify and treat any health issues before they become more serious. This includes ingrown toenails, which can become infected if not treated.
2. Millions of diabetics worldwide battle with type 2 diabetes and its many complications. But what most people don't realize is that poor blood sugar control is how most foot problems develop — from ulcers to sores to calluses to infections. As a diabetic, you're more likely to suffer from peripheral vascular disease and experience foot pain, but you can improve your circulation with the right diet and medicine.
3. Wash your feet! It's as simple as that, yet so many people neglect this basic task. A lot of us suffer from dry and cracked skin on our feet and ankles, which can be painful and embarrassing. To keep your feet feeling fresh and rejuvenated, wash them at least once a day with lukewarm water and mild soap. If your feet are especially dry, apply a moisturizer to the cracked areas.
4. Leading diabetes associations recommend that individuals with the disease exercise for at least 150 minutes every week. Regular exercise can help you manage your sugar levels and keep your circulation flowing. However, you must talk to your doctor first and only participate in safe exercises like walking or swimming during moderate weathers.
5. Cut out alcohol and smoking to reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications and injuries. Living a healthy lifestyle gives you a better quality of life, improves your health and keeps you around longer for the ones you love!
Talk to your doctor about alcohol and diabetes. Most doctors recommend that those with diabetes avoid drinking completely. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about setting up a plan for quitting smoking — this is especially important for people who have had heart attacks or strokes.
Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who use your feet to help diagnose and treat different conditions, including infections, diabetes, or other vascular system diseases. It's important to visit a podiatrist regularly — at least once every year — to check for any ongoing problems (like ulcers) or early warning signs of damage. You'll also be fitted with diabetic shoes if necessary.
If you would like to have your feet examined by a podiatrist, visit a professional like ourselves. We will be happy to provide help and try ensure you don’t run in to any problems with your feet. You can contact us to book an appointment or use our online booking system.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.