Foot Care Tips for the Diabetic Foot
By Michael Odinsky, D.P.M
Added 02/19/2010

Diabetes is a multi system disease which can affect the eyes, kidneys, and the feet. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is essential to ones well being. Diabetes affects small blood vessels and nerves in the feet. This in turn causes a decrease in blood flow and nerve sensation which creates burning, numbing sensation to the feet. Diabetes and poor circulation causes change to the toenails making them thick, hard and creating fungal toenails as well. Other changes to be found are dry, ashy, scaly skin which if not treated could lead to cracks in the skin and ultimately cause an infection. Maintaining proper foot care in the diabetic patient is a lifelong process to be shared between patient and doctor. In the following paragraphs we will discuss some ways of maintaining proper foot care. Remember, that if you ever have a concern please bring it to the attention of your health care professional immediately. The following are some guidelines that you can do at home.

1) Inspect your feet daily. Look for areas of swelling, tenderness, redness and warm areas. Make sure there are no sensitive areas to the touch. If bending to see the bottom of your feet is a problem use a mirror with a long handle.

2) Inspect your shoes by putting your hand in the shoes and feeling for loose coins, loose shoe seams, sharp shoe tacks, and pebbles.

3)Never walk barefoot whether it is on hardwood floors or carpeting. Each could hide sharp objects which could puncture the skin and ultimately cause an infection.

4)When putting on your socks, make sure they are pulled all the way up, wrinkles in the socks could cause an irritation. The top of the socks should never be tight against the calf for this could act like a tourniquet and cut off the blood flow. If necessary you can purchase diabetic socks at your local surgical supply store.

5)Washing and drying your feet daily is a necessity. Use a mild moisturizing soap and don’t forget to dry well between your toes for that’s where moisture builds up and can start a fungal infection. Soaking your feet for relaxation actually draws moisture from your skin. Apply a moisturizing cream daily to all sides of your feet avoiding in between your toes.

6)If your feet feel cold, put on an extra pair of socks. Don’t use a heating pad or hot water bottle. Remember the sensation to the bottom of your feet could be decreased and you could be burning the skin and causing blisters to form.

7)Avoid using over the counter products which are medicated for these to could cause irritation.

8)Avoid cutting your toenails. If you must, use a nail file to remove those sharp areas. Schedule regular maintenance appointments with your podiatrist.

9)Never wear tight fitting shoes, shoes that haven’t been properly broken in for these cause rubbing and blistering which could lead to an infection and ultimately amputation.

10)Check with your insurance carrier to see if you are covered for Diabetic shoes. These shoes provide more room in the front and sided of the shoes to accommodate for Bunions and Hammertoes. The inner portion has a moldable insert to absorb abnormal pressures applied to the bottom of the foot while walking.

The Diabetic foot with or without poor circulation(Peripheral vascular Disease) poses many challenges for the patient and podiatrist to conquer.

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