Diabetic Foot Care

If you’re Diabetic, proper foot care will drastically decrease your chances of additional health risks. Aside from frequent foot examinations by your physician, there are multiple things you can do on your own to preserve the healthy condition of your feet.

Nerve damage, also known as Diabetic Neuropathy, can lead to a sore, an infection, or even gangrene! With damaged nerves, you might not always feel pain, heat, or cold in your legs and feet. A blister, cut, or cracks in your skin can quickly become worse because you didn’t know it was there.

What to look out for…

• Corns and Calluses are thick layers of skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure on the same spot.
• Blisters can form if shoes always rub the same spot. Wearing shoes that do not fit or wearing shoes without socks can cause blisters.
• Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin.
• Bunions form when your big toe slants toward the small toes, causing bones at the base of your big toe to protrude. Pointed shoes often cause bunions.
• Plantar warts are caused by a virus and usually form on the bottoms of the feet.
• Hammertoes form when weak muscles cause tendons to shorten and then the toe curls under your foot. You may get sores on the bottoms of your feet and on the tops of your toes.
• Dry and cracked skin can happen because the nerves in your legs and feet are not “receiving the messages” to keep your skin soft and moist.
• Athlete's foot is a fungus that causes itchiness, redness, and cracking of the skin.

Dry or damaged skin can become cracked – which allows germs to enter and cause infections. Applying lotion on your feet can be very soothing and help prevent dry, cracking skin. Take this opportunity to really inspect your feet for any cuts or cracks. Pay special attention under your toes and between them.

As far as protecting your feet from extreme heat or cold, it’s best to avoid walking barefoot. Comfortable footwear is imperative! But not to be confused with the need for special Diabetic socks! Moisture-wicking socks from Zockster are a great option. These high-quality bamboo socks absorb five times more moisture than cotton socks and are naturally anti-bacterial.

Another nasty side effect of Diabetes is poor blood flow. It’s important to keep the blood flowing to your feet at all times. Try simple exercises such as wiggling your ankles and toes occasionally. It’s also best to avoid sitting on your legs, or crossing them for too long.

Although proper foot care may seem like a burden, it is actually quite simple. Wearing the proper socks and applying cream to your feet can easily become part of your daily routine. In turn it will help you stay away from the traumatic side effects that can accompany Diabetes.