Foot care diabetic is always a concern for people with diabetes ailment that affects millions.
We have two types of diabetic type 1 and type 2.
Diabetic type 1 is when the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin at all.
It is the most dangerous type of diabetic which the cause remains unknown.
In the latest research results, they believe that the main reason for type 1 diabetic is that the body immune system kills the cells that creates the insulin in the body.
In type 1 diabetic, the daily insulin injection is the most in order to minimize any risks.
Type 2 is the most common types of diabetic and it’s because your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin and it can be controlled easily with exercise, diet and medication.
Diabetes can cause other serious problems though such as amputation of feet or lower limbs if due care is not taken.
Simple foot care can reduce these risks.
Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet which makes them more vulnerable to sore, infections, deformities and brittle bones.
Usually healing process in diabetic patients is much slower than non adiabatic people.
Any scars or injuries should be well treated by professional in order to avoid any trauma.
Foot care is one of the most concern topic with diabetic associations.
In most of the cases people with diabetic can’t feel the pain on their feet when it gets injure and that causes a huge problem.
What are The signs of Diabetic Foot Problem
If you see any of the following symptoms , the first thing you should do is to see your health professional as soon as possible.
- Numbness
- Tightness
- Changing color
- Changing shape
- Sores
- Swollen
Numbness
If you feel numbness in your feet or foot, you should check your blood sugar first and see your doctor as soon as you can.
People with diabetic should not go for pedicure because they might cut cuticles and cutting your toe nails too short and that causes infection.
Try to have a perfect size shoe that doesn’t jam your toes and it’s comfortable in the from area.
Tightness
If you feel tightness in your feet try to lift them.
Massage them as much as you can to help with the blood circulation or you can see a massage therapist for professional moves.
Avoid standing up for long hours or walking for long distance.
Changing Color
Gangrene is the most common illness that happens to diabetic patients with infection.
It is because of lack of blood circulation and no oxygen in that area and as a result dead tissues.
It requires immediate medical treatment and you should see your medical professional immediately.
If a person with diabetic has an injury without notice it, he or she might notice a color change in the toe and you should see the doctor as soon as possible before it turns to gangrene.
Diabetic also affects the arterial vessels and that might be another issue that has the color change in your feet.
Changing Shape
Any changes in the shape of your foot should be concern when you have diabetic.
It might be a blockage in some area or a tumor.
Changes in any normal forms of our body is a warning sign and has to be concern.
We can’t avoid dis-formation in our foot and think it might be because of aging or arthritics especially when your are diabetic.
There are many many medical reasons for changing the shape of your foot which has to be checked by the professional specialists immediately.
However, we don’t talk about people who were born with some unusual feet shapes with genetic reasons.
The focus is about the changes in the shape of your foot and the cares after the fact.
Sores
If you are diabetic and see any abscess or sore in your foot try to see your doctor first.
In the mean time try to keep the are clean and avoid any dirt to touch the are.
Do not apply any over the counter or home remedy medication on your own.
Swollen
The nerve damage as a result of diabetic is a common symptoms of chronic diabetic.
Problem with circulation and veins damages causing swollen foot in diabetic patients.
Tips to Avoid Diabetic Foot Problem
Follow these simple tips to avoid problems.
- Inspect your feet daily for injuries that could lead to dangerous ulcers.
- Wash feet in lukewarm — not hot water.
- Moisturize your feet but avoid the areas between the toes.
- Never trim corns or calluses. This can lead to serious infections.
- Inspect the inside of shoes before you put them on.
- Never cut your nails too short
If any problems arise always consult your doctor straight away.
Inspect your Feet in Daily Bases for a Possible Injuries
Inspecting your feet in daily bases is very important part of foot care in diabetic patients.
Most of the times by just doing daily inspection you can notice about any small changes in your foot and can be treat it immediately.
Try to check your foot before getting up from bed if you can by touching or looking at your feet.
Wash Feet in Lukewarm Water
Try to wash your feet with warm water and not hot water.
While you wash your feet in lukewarm water, try to massage them at the same time to help with blood circulation.
Healthy blood circulation is very important in foot care for people with diabetic.
The soap you are using should be for sensitive skin types to avoid any dryness or irritation on your skin.
Inspect your toes and feet while you are washing your feet for any cuts, sore, dry skin or any unusual skin condition.
Make sure your feet are completely dry when before you start walking on them and wearing your sucks.
Between the toes must be completely dry and make sure it’s not wet.
Moisturize your Feet
Moisturization is the main element of foot care for diabetic people.
After the warm water wash and drying your feet, you should use a good moisturizing cream and let it air dry.
Dry skin can cause skin infection if it’s not been taking care of.
Usually diabetic people don’t have the feeling if their feet gets dry or cracked until it gets infection.
To avoid that type of issues, it’s better to make sure your feet are completely taking care of.
Make sure the cream is completely observed to your skin before wearing your socks or shoes.
If you leave a cream on your skin and wear your socks or shoes, the perspiration will irritate your skin and causes injuries and infection.
Wear clean socks everyday and wash them with sensitive skin detergents to protect your skin from chemical irritation.
Never Trim Corns or Calluses
If you see any corns or calluses, never try to trim them.
Trimming any corns or calluses in diabetic people’s foot can cause a serious skin infection.
You should make an appointment with health care professional if you see any corns or calluses in your foot.
Foot care in diabetic people is not the same as regular people and it should be concern.
Sometimes the pedicurists don’t know that person was a diabetic patient and they trim the corns and as a result it becomes infected.
Never try any over the counter from the pharmacy to treat the corns or calluses since they are not recommended for foot care in diabetic categories.
You might ask the pharmacist for advice but it is not recommended as well.
The best advice is that you should visit your specialist doctor and see what he or she recommends and have to do.
To avoid having corns or calluses, try to have the good made of shoes or sandals with good materials.
Having a good shoes is very important for foot care with diabetic and can solve many future issues by having a good pair of shoes.
Inspect Inside your Shoes Before Wearing Them
One of the main elements of foot care for diabetic people is that they have to inspect inside their shoes before wearing them.
Inspection is for to check if there is any sharp object or insects inside their shoes.
Since diabetic people don’t really have a feeling on their toes, they might not notice it when there is a cut or injuries.
To avoid that to happen it is better to inspect your shoes before wearing them and check for any sharp objects or insects that might bit you.
Never Cut Your Toe Nails Too Short
Try to keep your toe nails lengths in certain level.
The nails should not be cut too short or too long.
If it is cut too short it might goes inside the skin and causes serious infections.
Moreover, the long toe nails also can break in from the middle and also causes the infection.
Keeping the length of the nails straight cut and should be in the lever that you can feel the nails and at the same time they are well trimmed.
It should be in a very comfortable level and the corners should be visibly out from the skin.
File any sharp edges of your nails.
Never cut the cuticles around your toe nails when you have diabetic.
Just use moisturizing cream to keep it soft and smooth.
Step Toward Good Foot Care Health
Foot care is a very important part of daily rooting activities in people with diabetic.
Daily exercises and healthy food is the most common advice for diabetic people and in addition foot care as well.
If the people with diabetic ignore taking care of their foot, it can leads them into a very serious problem in the future.
Try to see your doctor in regular basis and if you see any of the above mentioned issues, try to contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Never try to treat yourself with over the counter medications since they are not recommended for diabetic people especially in the foot care area.
Avoid smoking when you are diabetic to not get any blood circulation issues in the future.
Exercise is the most important treatment for diabetic but you have to make sure you are wearing the right shoes and taking a good care of your foot.
When you have to sit for long period of the time, try to not cross your legs for long time, try to lift your legs and move them as much as you can to help with the blood circulation.
Wear white socks to check if there is any scars.
