Diabetes is a condition that entails many challenges, among them having to regularly monitor blood sugar levels, maintaining a strict diet, and ensuring that you exercise consistently.

There is a surprising way that those with diabetes can care for their condition: foot care. If you are looking for other ways to prevent serious complications, then receiving the proper foot care for managing diabetes at a London family foot clinic might be a good decision.

Foot Care and Its Role in Helping Manage Diabetes

People with diabetes will often experience a numbing or tingling sensation in the hands and feet, which can also prevent feeling any pain in those areas. Stunted pain can be dangerous in many ways since the body cannot communicate to the brain that a part needs serious attention.  This is called diabetic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy.

 

With diabetic neuropathy comes an increased risk for foot problems. Perhaps someone with diabetes developed an ingrown toenail that they couldn’t quite feel or had an unnoticed blister that grew into a more serious problem. With the right diabetes management methods and good care with a nurse practitioner, issues and injuries on the feet can be prevented.

Conducting a Self-Examination for Your Feet

Part of managing diabetes is maintaining a regular self-exam for your feet. Check your toes one by one, taking extra care to examine the spaces between them. Examine the tops of your feet for any abnormalities and then, look at the soles.

There are several signs and symptoms you should be on the lookout for. Any cuts, sores, or cracked skin may be signs of diabetic foot problems. Bruising, skin discolouration, and calluses should also be noted. Lastly, any changes in your nails or how your feet generally feel when touched could indicate an issue.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Of the several concerns that people with diabetes can experience on their feet, ulcers are particularly prominent. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), this condition is present in about 15% of diabetic patients, and about 6% could require hospitalization due to severe ulcer-related complications. If left untreated, it can also lead to amputation to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.

Fortunately, most cases of amputation and hospitalization are quite rare in diabetic patients. These ulcers, like many other foot conditions, are preventable with daily self-exams and visits to your physician. Seeking out professional healthcare is extremely important if you do develop any of the above conditions, including foot ulcers.

Tips for Diabetic Foot Care

There are a few key things that you can do regularly to ensure that your feet are in good condition.

  1. Thoroughly Wash and Dry Feet Daily

Washing your feet with soap and warm water and drying every surface of the skin thoroughly will prevent unwanted infections from breeding on your feet. Apply a moisturizer formulated for your feet but be careful to avoid between your toes to prevent trapping moisture.

  1. Wear Correct and Well-Fitting Shoes

Dry feet covered with dry socks are ideal when using shoes to prevent moisture and fungal infections from developing. Use double-woven socks if possible, but any cotton and wool variety should work fine. Making sure that your shoes fit well is also an important consideration. Ill-fitting shoes can cause calluses and trap more moisture that will lead to bacterial buildup.

  1. Improve Circulation

Improving circulation in your feet is key to keep your feet healthy. When you take breaks from work or any activity that requires sitting for extended hours, put your feet up and wiggle your toes to encourage circulation. Avoiding smoking will also prevent poor circulation in the body, including your feet.

Conclusion

Being aware of the risks involved in foot diseases and diabetes can help prevent unwanted complications from occurring. Dealing with diabetes is difficult enough and adding foot problems can be frustrating. Visiting your health care professional regularly, in addition to doing self-examinations at home, can reduce your risk for developing diabetes-related foot problems so that you can stay mobile, healthy, and stress-free.

Here at Pinkal Medical, we provide many services, chief among them is nursing foot care for managing diabetes.  This is to aid in the healing of different ailments in hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare settings. To receive services from a Pinkal Medical & Aesthetics Clinic, book an appointment with us today!