For diabetics, the foot often becomes one
of the most problematic areas of their body. The extremities can get deprived
of adequate blood flow because of diabetes, leading to deprivation of oxygen
and nutrients. Apart from problems like blisters taking more time to heal, and
numbness in the feet, the area may also become more prone to infections. All
these make it more important for diabetics to take good care of their feet to
avoid serious complications. Here are some essential diabetes foot care tips to
keep your feet healthy.
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1. Manage your diabetes well
There is a direct relationship between
diabetes and damage to your nerve cells. The better you manage your diabetes,
the healthier your feet will be for a prolonged time. If you have a foot
infection, uncontrolled diabetes can make it difficult for the body to fight
it. So, it is important that you work with your doctor to manage diabetes and
keep your blood sugar level within range.
2. Stay active
Staying active can help your feet to
function properly and feel stretched. While exercise for diabetics certainly
isn’t one-size-fits-all, low impact fitness programs that include walking,
swimming, yoga etc can prove to be helpful as they don’t put excessive pressure
on the feet. However, it’s crucial to ensure you have proper footwear for
whatever activity you prefer to get started with. If you choose the wrong
footwear that offer inadequate support to your feet, you may end up hurting
your feet, which could create complications due to your pre-existing diabetes.
3. Check your feet daily and
keep them clean
Carefully observe your feet everyday to
identify blisters, cuts, swelling, soreness and red spots. It’s good to have a
mirror to thoroughly check the bottom of your feet. If you have difficulty
seeing, ask a family member to do it.It’s also important to wash your feet
everyday properly. Remember to use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Drying
your feet after washing should be done the right way since the space between
your toes is heavily airtight, and leaving the region moist may lead to
infections. Towel off thoroughly to prevent this from happening.
4. Trim toenails carefully
Trim your toenails every week or as and
when needed. Trim them straight across without cutting too short. File the
edges with a nail file or an emery board. Remember to avoid knife or
conventional scissors, and don’t bite, pull or tear the toenails. Have them
trimmed by a professional if you find it difficult to see or reach them.
5. Protect your toes from
cold/hot temperature
Always wear shoes when walking on a hot
pavement or at the beach. Avoid putting your feet into hot water. People with
diabetes often develop neuropathy, which makes it difficult to feel the right
temperature of hot water that may lead to scalding of the skin. You can use the
elbow to check the water temperature instead. Also, if your feet get cold at
night, wear socks.
Even seemingly harmless feet hazards may turn
into serious conditions if you ignore them, especially when you have diabetes.
Ideally, you should consider consulting a podiatrist when developing your
diabetes healthcare routine instead of heading straight to the pharmacy for
over-the-counter products for taking care of your feet.
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