How To Build A Diabetic Foot Care Routine
Why is it important to take care of your diabetic feet?
If you have diabetes, you need to take extra care of your feet. When your blood sugar is too high, it can damage your nerves, slow down your circulation, and make your feet more likely to get hurt or infected. You can avoid serious problems and stay mobile for years to come by sticking to a regular diabetic foot care routine.
- Look at your feet every day.
Look for cuts, blisters, swelling, or changes in color.
If you can’t see some areas well, use a mirror or ask a family member for help.
Finding problems early can stop them from getting worse.
- Clean and dry Wash your feet every day with warm water and mild soap.
Gently pat dry, especially between the toes, to keep fungus from growing.
Don’t soak your feet for a long time because it can dry out your skin.
- Put on lotion, but don’t put it between your toes.
Put lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet to keep them from getting dry.
Don’t put lotion between your toes to lower the risk of infection.
- Put on shoes that protect your feet
Even when you’re inside, you should always wear socks and shoes that fit well.
Pick shoes that are soft and cushioned to relieve pressure points.
Don’t walk around without shoes to avoid cuts and other injuries.
- Improve Blood Flow
Do some light exercises, like rotating your ankles or going for short walks.
Don’t sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
Keep blood flowing to help nerves and healing.
- Let the pros take care of your nails and calluses.
Don’t try to cut off your own calluses or ingrown nails.
Make sure to see a podiatrist or chiropodist on a regular basis for safe care.
Avoiding Problems
Regular care not only helps you find problems early, but it also stops more serious problems like ulcers or infections that might need surgery. It’s always easier and cheaper to stop something from happening than to treat it.
Read More
If you want to learn more about how to avoid injuries and recover from them, check out our blog post on “Common Knee Injuries in Sports and How Physiotherapy Can Treat Them”.
Chiropody Care for People with Diabetes
Chiropody treatment is a type of foot care that is specifically designed for people with diabetes. A chiropodist can safely cut nails, treat corns and calluses, suggest shoes that will protect your feet, and check the health of your nerves and circulation. Going to the chiropodist regularly is a good way to keep your feet healthy, avoid problems, and stay comfortable in your daily life.