Why Is Diabetic Foot Care A Great Commitment?
Anyone who lives with diabetes knows that it needs a great deal of care; the body of a person with diabetes can demand changes daily. These include changes to diet, changes to routine and many more things that must be viewed through the lens of diabetic maintenance. And, whilst it may not seem like it deserves a place on your list of essential care techniques, diabetic foot care is one of the most crucial.
Our feet are exceptionally delicate, especially for people suffering from diabetes. Therefore, if you are so unfortunate to suffer from this terrible condition, the sooner you begin to focus on proactive foot care, the better!
So, what makes diabetes so precarious to our feet?
Our feet are the first to come into contact with the ground when we stand, walk or run, and they spend every waking hour supporting the weight from the rest of our body! Diabetes can already have a significant impact by making a challenging job ten times more difficult, as diabetes interferes with the way our feet sense and recover from injury.
First, diabetes tampers with the circulation throughout our bodies by blocking and damaging our blood vessels. As the feet are furthest away from the heart, they get cold relatively quickly and are the most challenging part of the body to receive a strong blood flow. In turn, this means fewer nutrients and growth factors are there when your feet need them the most!
Next, diabetes has the ability to impair and obstruct our nerves; this is also known as neuropathy. When nerves become damaged, an extensive array of sensations are felt, from tingling to burning to sharp ‘electrical’ pain. However, the most problematic symptom is feeling no sensation at all - otherwise worded as complete numbness.
Due to the above, you may have trouble noticing an injury making it progressively worse. A superficial cut could open into an ulcer or sore, resulting in a high chance of becoming infected. Unfortunately, amputation is a genuine possibility if wounds and infections are left untreated.
What does diabetic foot care look like?
Thankfully, taking care of your diabetic feet is not complicated! However, it can sometimes be time-consuming and require special items.
One of the most critical measures you can take is regular inspection; diabetes has a way of gradually dialing down sensation until you don’t realise things aren’t registering. Use both your eyes and hands to inspect for the following:
Cuts
Sores and blisters
Discolourations in skin or toenails
Ingrown toenails
If something is found, you should immediately consult with a podiatrist. They may suggest keeping a close eye on it to determine whether or not it will clear up independently. However, depending on the situation, it may be requested that you visit the clinic for a closer examination.
In addition to daily foot inspections, it pays to treat yourself in other ways proactively. Such as:
Generally, managing your diabetes includes tracking your blood sugar well, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising.
Investing in diabetic shoes and socks - diabetic shoes and sock come in all sizes, shapes and styles! However, they have one thing in common: they are all designed to reduce irritation and pressure against the feet as much as possible. Reducing ‘hot spots’ means fewer sores! It’s also important to keep your feet warm and dry in the winter, a good pair of shoes will definitely help with this.
Addressing general problems early on - Simply, you must clean your feet daily, including moisturising and addressing any skin problems that may arise.
It's essential to moisturise your feet. Moisturising will help prevent your skin from becoming cracked and damaged and, in turn, help prevent the risk of infection. However, do not moisturise between your toes; this could lead to a fungal infection.
Ensure the water is not too hot when bathing, and wash using a soft washcloth or sponge. Try to dry delicately by lightly tapping, a be sure to dry thoroughly between the toes.
When cutting your toenails, be sure to cut them in a straight line and file the edges or any sharp corners. Try not to cut your nails too short as this can cause other problems.
Whilst there are great solutions that can be carried out in the comfort of your own home, it is always wise to have a professional on your side. Podiatrists can provide frequent check-ups and identify any problems you may have overlooked or not realised you are developing! Getting these cases handled quickly and efficiently will help ensure lasting comfort and mobility well into your future.