Diabetic Foot Care Tips
If you have diaby, it is best that you immediately start taking measures to prevent foot problems. It is important to keep the foot healthy and to be deliberate about it. Here are some steps to take:
- Receive regular examinations on the feet: Regular examinations by a doctor are key to preventing infections, amputations, and severe deformities.
- Wash the feet daily: Keeping your feet clean will help prevent infections.
- Wear supportive shoes and socks: Protect the feet in socks and shoes at all times. A podiatrist [7] may recommend special shoes to help prevent deformities. Do not apply socks so tightly that they restrict blood flow.
- Promote blood flow to the feet: Put the feet up when sitting, wiggle the toes periodically, and get enough exercise.
- Trim nails carefully: Trim toenails straight across and keep them short. Rounded nails can grow inward, leading to infection.
- Protect feet from extreme temperatures: Exposure to extreme hot and cold can damage the feet of people with diabetes.
- Control blood sugar: Uncontrolled blood sugars increase the risk of podiatric complications from diabetes.