DIABETIC FOOT CARE
· Diabetes reduces the blood flow to the feet and also causes nerve damage.
· It’s hard to notice a cut or blister if you can’t feel the pain or discomfort in your feet.
· Delay in treating these minor injuries can lead to bigger problems, including amputation.
1. Check your feet daily
· Check regularly for cuts, blisters, bruises, redness and swelling, even between the toes.
· Consult your doctor if you notice any kind of abnormality.
2. Wash your feet every day
· Use warm water and a mild soap to cleanse your feet thoroughly.
· Avoid soaking your feet for a long time, and dry them thoroughly.
· Moisture between the toes is an invitation for fungal infections.
3. Wear comfortable shoes
· Ensure that the shoe does not pinch or rub your skin.
· Shoe bites and diabetes should stay miles away from each other.
· Protect your feet from the elements by using covered shoes with clean socks.
4. Wear the right shoes
· Stand on a piece of paper and trace the outline of your foot.
· Next trace the outline of your shoe, and compare the two.
· Ideally, the shoe should be as broad as your foot and should be half an inch longer.
5. Keep your toenails trimmed
· Cut your nails straight.
· Don’t try to round the edges or cut the sides, it may lead to ingrown toenails.
· Avoid getting pedicure done with unsterilised instruments in beauty saloons.
6. Moisturise your feet
· Keep your feet moisturised to avoid cracked heels.
· But ensure that your feet are not damp or sticky afterwards.
· Avoid moisturising the region between your toes.
7. Treating minor corns or calluses
· If they get infected, even the smallest of corns or calluses can cause a lot of trouble.
· Stay safe, and consult your doctor to get them treated.
8. Emergency situations for treatment
· If your feet are cold or they hurt, or
· If they have changed colour to a shade of black and blue.