Diabetes Care - Diabetic Foot Care
- Diabetic foot care is one of the key aspects of diabetes care.
Diabetic Foot Care
People with diabetes need special care for their feet. It is because diabetes increases the risk of developing skin infections and diabetic foot ulcer. Diabetes makes the feet more susceptible to circulatory problems and nerve damage. When these problems happen and are not taken care of, you may get diabetic foot ulcer and more seriously, gangrene. When gangrene has set in, there is no other cure than amputation.
Because diabetes can cause nerve damage, you may not even feel pain when you sustain some
minor injuries to your feet such as blisters, scrapes or cuts. Thus, you might have missed out these minor injuries. As people with diabetes are more at risk of getting skin infections, the wounds will get infected. Because diabetics usually face poor and slow healing of wounds, the problem may get out of hand if nothing is done to tackle it.
Seeing and following advice of a chiropodist or podiatrist on how to care for the feet is essential for people with diabetes to avoid trouble later. A chiropodist can also prove very helpful especially if you have calluses, corns, cracked skin or painful toenails.
To minimize your risk of skin infections and diabetic foot ulcer, you can follow some of the following:
Regular visit to your chiropodist.
Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes.
Do not walk without your shoes on.
Wear socks and tights that fit comfortably and change them daily.
Have regular pedicure.
Cut your toenails straight across.
Clean your feet daily. Use moisturizer if the skin your feet is dry.
Check your feet daily for any signs of injuries that need prompt first aid.
Consult your doctor immediately if you develop a diabetic foot ulcer on your foot.
A pair of comfortable and well-fitting diabetic shoes are a necessity for people with diabetes. Therefore, it is important that a diabetic should choose the right diabetic shoes. Before you buy your diabetic shoes, always try them on first. Below are some advices on how to choose your diabetic shoes.
How To Choose Your Diabetic Shoes
When you try on the diabetic shoes, your foot should not be able to slide about much inside the shoe.
There should be enough room at the front of the diabetic shoes to let your toes able to move forward naturally when you are walking. The room at the front of the diabetic shoes should be at least 1 cm wide.
You should feel comfortable when wearing the diabetic shoes.
Do not buy diabetic shoes that need to be "broken in".
Buy diabetic shoes that fit the shape your foot perfectly.
Do not buy diabetic shoes that compress your feet and toes.
By following these advices, you have put your best foot forward to positively prevent diabetic foot problems.
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