Diabetic Foot Care: Protecting Your Health

If you suffer from diabetes, taking excellent care of your feet is essential. Since a foot infection can easily get out of control, you have to take daily steps to maintain your foot health. Following a few simple guidelines can keep your feet healthy and head off more serious problems. 

Daily Examination

If you cannot see the tops and bottoms of your feet, you need to enlist someone to help you. Each day, check for any type of rough spot, including cuts, sores, and blisters. Also, look for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses. If you find any warm spots or swelling, you need to contact your physician immediately. 

Toenails

Good toenail care is essential to maintaining your foot health. If you are able to see and reach your toenails, trim them after carefully washing and drying your feet. You must cut your toenails straight across to help prevent ingrown nails. You may use a nail file or emery board to smooth the corners. If you are unable to effectively cut your own nails, consider making a regular appointment with a podiatrist. The doctor can take care of this task for you and examine your feet for potential problems. 

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Keep your feet from becoming too hot or too cold. Since you may have limited feeling in your feet, you can burn and freeze them before you know it. Test the temperature of your bath water before inserting your feet into the tub. Wear shoes and socks at all times. Wear socks at night if your feet are cold instead of using hot water bottles or heating pads.

Blood Flow

You can protect your health by keeping the blood flowing to your legs and feet. When you sit down, elevate them. Avoid crossing your legs and take the time to exercise your feet and toes two or three times a day. Move your ankles up and down while wiggling your toes for five minutes at a time. This simple act will aid in maintaining healthy circulation and help you avoid foot problems that are associated with diabetes.

 Since your diabetes interferes with the natural healing of your feet, you have to be more careful than the average person to identify and treat any problems that arise. Daily care is necessary to prevent minor problems from becoming more difficult ones. If you are unable to take care of your feet yourself, seek the help of a podiatrist who can make certain that your feet stay healthy. One place you can call is Advanced Foot Clinic.