As a diabetic, taking care of your condition is very important to your foot health. Uncontrolled diabetes can result in both nerve damage and poor blood circulation in your feet. Both conditions can be particularly dangerous if you happen to cut your foot or develop a fungal infection. If you discover a cut or infection, you should visit a licensed podiatrist trained in diabetic foot care immediately.
The following are other tips that diabetics should consider when it comes caring for their feet:
- Check your feet every day: Diabetics should take the time every evening to examine their feet for cuts and infections. Poorly controlled diabetes often results in the loss of feeling in the feet. If you cannot feel your feet, small cuts or infections you may have sustained will often go unnoticed until they become severe.
- Wash your dry feet daily: Taking the time to wash your feet daily in warm water is essential to preventing fungus and bacterial infections on your feet. Be sure to also spend time thoroughly drying your feet, especially between the toes. Fungal infections often start in the warm and moist areas between your toes.
- Put lotion on your feet throughout the day: Diabetes can cause the skin on your feet to dry out, which can lead to cracking or peeling of the skin. Cracked and peeling skin can make your feet more susceptible to infection.
- Keep the blood flowing in your feet: One way to keep the blood flowing in your feet is to wiggle your toes 2-3 times a day. Exercise such as walking, swimming, and bicycling are also great activities that are easier on the feet and help with blood circulation.
- Take care of your toenails: Check your toenails once a week to make sure they are healthy. Trim your toenails straight across and then smooth them with a nail file. Be careful to not break or irritate the skin with the nail file.
If you would like to learn more about how to take care of your feet as a diabetic, contact Austin Podiatry today. We specialize in all areas of foot, ankle, and lower leg care and can treat a wide variety of conditions in our many offices around Texas.