How does diabetes affect my feet?
Diabetes has the potential to cause nerve damage (neuropathy) and reduce blood flow (vascular disease) in your feet. This increases your risk for facing a number of different foot conditions, including foot ulcers.
Neuropathy
It’s important to take care of your feet even if you don’t feel any foot pain or discomfort. Diabetes can cause neuropathy, nerve damage that limits your ability to feel things at the damaged nerve site. That means it’s possible for you to damage your foot without even realizing you’re doing so.
Peripheral vascular disease
Additionally, diabetes can cause poor blood flow in your extremities. The reduced blood flow to these areas results in longer healing times for any injuries, including sores and cuts. It also means your infections can take longer to heal and may need additional care to be fully treated.
Diabetic foot care is extremely important. Without it, people with diabetes face serious complications that can lead to amputation.
How do I practice good diabetic foot care?
Fortunately, being aware of your feet and caring for them is an effective way to minimize your risk for developing diabetic foot conditions. Some of the preventive steps you can take include:
- Checking your feet daily for any cuts, blisters, and dryness
- Wearing good, comfortable, supportive shoes
- Washing your feet and applying lotion
- Keeping your toenails cut short and smoothed with a file
- Avoiding certain types of exercise when you have foot sores that need to heal
Additionally, it’s important that you connect with a dedicated diabetic foot care provider like the podiatrists at North Star Foot & Ankle Associates. Having a medical expert on your side ensures you can get prompt, effective care any time an issue does arise with your feet.
What do I do if I develop a foot ulcer?
Foot ulcers are a common condition in people with diabetes. With proper care, you can fully heal your ulcer. Talk with your North Star Foot & Ankle Associates care provider as soon as you notice the ulcer so you can develop a treatment plan together.
Your treatment will likely include staying off your feet, foot baths, disinfecting treatments for the ulcer itself, and dressing and bandaging to keep the ulcer dry and protected.
Diabetes doesn’t have to compromise your foot health. Get a dedicated expert on your side by calling North Star Foot & Ankle Associates or scheduling your appointment online today.
