If you have diabetes, caring for your feet is just as important as caring for your blood sugar level. A significant portion of the foot and leg amputations done every year are due to diabetes-related complications. As such, you must take foot health seriously if you want to maintain good health in your lower extremities.
Why Diabetes Can Affect Your Feet
When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing neuropathy in the legs and feet. This condition causes you to lose sensation or feeling in certain parts of your body. While it may not seem like a big issue on the surface, it’s actually quite dangerous if left unchecked.
When you have neuropathy, you won’t be able to tell if you have a wound, ulcer, or other problem in the affected area of the body. As such, a wound could fester and get worse without you even being aware. This is how a simple wound can become an ulcer and an ulcer can lead to an infection, which could require an amputation of the foot. Most people pay attention to issues such as wounds on most parts of their bodies, but the feet often go neglected. Because neuropathy in diabetics often affects the feet first, wounds on the feet are at high-risk of becoming a big problem if left untreated.
As such, if you have diabetes, make foot health care a top priority. You should see a podiatrist on a regular basis to check on your foot health and address any issues – even the tiniest of cracks – early on with professional care.
Here are steps to take control of your foot health at home. Remember, self-care can only do so much. You need to have a podiatrist in your health care team to guarantee your feet remain healthy.
Check Your Feet Daily
Checking your feet on a daily basis is a great way to catch issues early on before they become bigger problems. Make it a routine habit to examine your feet closely for cuts, scrapes, wounds, scratches, bruises, and uneven skin. Feel every part of your foot with your fingers to assess if you have lost sensation anywhere. If you notice anything is off, visit a podiatrist to be safe.
Avoid Going Barefoot
Wearing shoes and socks will help to protect your feet from injury. Do not go barefoot when going outdoors. Wear socks to keep your feet from rubbing against the inside of your shoes. This will help prevent sores and wounds from developing.
Keep Your Feet Clean
Cleanliness is important when it comes to preventing infection from wounds. Clean your feet and cut your toenails on a regular basis. Be gentle when cleaning and evening out rough skin. Once you wash your feet, make sure to let them dry completely before putting on closed shoes. Examine your feet closely after cutting your toenails to ensure you did not cut yourself.
Diabetic Foot Care in Texas
If you have diabetes or are pre-diabetic, it’s essential to have a podiatrist in your care team. At the Podiatry Group of South Texas, we have podiatrists who are well-experienced in caring for patients with all types of diabetic foot problems.
Visit us today, and receive the care you need to ensure your feet remain healthy for the rest of your life. To request an appointment, please call us at (210) 227-8700. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you soon.
