Our feet bear our body weight. There are over 7000 nerve endings in each foot. It is very important to take good care of the mechanism around your heels, ankles and other parts of the lower limbs. Lack of care may lead to immobility and excruciating discomfort, which is highly common among diabetics. Therefore, it is suggested to regularly visit a foot doctor if you are diabetic. In this post, we will highlight why the risk of foot complications is higher for diabetic people and what should be the course of action to steer clear of the complications of diabetic feet.
What is a diabetic foot?
Diabetic people have uncontrollable blood sugar levels which over time create nerve damage and blood vessel damage. The disturbed blood circulation and nerves start creating complications that often start with feet in diabetic patients. It starts with tingling sensations or numbness but leads to blisters and ulcers and chronic infections due to poor blood flow.
What happens when you ignore diabetic foot care?
Poor blood supply and affected nerve sensation can make your life stressful as a diabetic. It is suggested to maintain your blood sugar levels and always get your feet checked by a podiatrist to get regular foot care and advice. If you keep ignoring the health of your feet, the nerve damage and circulation damage can affect your body’s ability to heal the wounds and injuries. It can create severe complications like gangrene. If the infections are ignored for a longer duration, the situation may get worse and probably amputation is the only option left.
What are the common foot complications faced by diabetic patients?
Uncontrollable blood sugar levels can affect your life in many ways. In terms of foot complications, you are at higher risk of the following conditions:
- Peripheral vascular disease: Diabetes disturbs the blood flow which adversely affects the health of your feet. Any injury to the lower limbs takes longer than usual to heal due to circulation damage.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage is another complication that impacts the ability of diabetics to sense any pain or discomfort. Even in the case of infection, they won’t feel anything which may lead to further chronic problems.
- Ulcers: Diabetics should check their feet daily for any visible signs of ulcers which are quite common due to the pressure in the area.
- Calluses: The ball of the foot, heels or toes of a diabetic patient are highly vulnerable to complications from calluses.
- Dry skin: Nerve damage can even affect the oil glands in the lower limbs, as a result, diabetic foot care is often sought for dry skin.
- Feet pain: The damaged nerves can also result in sharp shooting pain in the feet. It is different from the discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis and only an expert can suggest an effective remedy for diabetic foot pain.
How to properly care for your diabetic foot?
Now comes the question, how to take care of your feet if you are diabetic? Regular check-ups at a clinic are important. Reach out to a podiatry specialist for diabetic foot treatment. The podiatrists can thoroughly examine your condition and suggest tailor-made treatment plans. You should also check your feet daily at home. The care for the diabetic foot is categorized into two sections, i.e. at home care and at a podiatrist’s clinic.
- Check up and care at home: Every day, you should check your feet for redness, swelling or any signs of infection. Make sure to look between the toes. Wash and moisturize your feet and avoid wearing tight shoes or tight socks. Be careful while cutting your toenails. If possible leave it to the experts because any injury that occurs while cutting the toenails may last for a longer duration and can lead to severe infection. Don’t try to treat corns with over-the-counter remedies. For cuts, blisters, corns and any such condition, rush to the nearest podiatrist for proper care.
- Check up and care by a podiatrist: Regular appointments are a necessity for diabetics. Those who have any sore or open wound should not try to treat it by themselves. It is best to visit a podiatrist in case of cuts, pus discharge, blisters, calluses or any injury. , All kinds of pain and discomfort related to the ankle, heel or collectively the lower limb should be addressed quickly by a podiatrist if you a diabetic. They not just provide general care, but also offer personalized foot pain treatment.
Educate yourself about diabetic foot care. The best source of information is your podiatrist. They can comprehensively check your condition and suggest to you the best foot care practices along with footwear advice.
Final word
A podiatrist can play a vital role in managing the health of your feet. Book an appointment right now to monitor your blood circulation and nerve supply if you have uncontrollable blood sugar levels. To learn more about safe diabetic foot care practices, visit the link given below.