Diabetes can mean double trouble for your feet. The first is that diabetes can decrease the flow of blood into your foot, denying them of nutrition and oxygen. This makes it harder to heal blisters, sores as well as cuts and blisters to heal. In addition, peripheral neuropathy can result in an numbness of your feet. If you aren’t able to feel the blisters and cuts it is more likely that you’ll develop infections and sores.
If you do not detect them or address the wounds, they could be severely infected and eventually lead to Amputation.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy may cause intense foot pain. You might become extremely sensitive to even the slightest touch, for example, the sheets that you sleep on.
Luckily, a little TLC is a great help in preventing foot issues caused by diabetes.
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1. Check both feet daily.
Take a close look at your feet each day, and make certain to check the area between each the toes. The first signs of infection and blisters are between your toes and when you have diabetes neuropathy it is possible to not notice them until they’ve become painful or infected.
If physical challenges prevent you from checking your feet Ask a family member to assist.
2. Wash your clothes in warm, not hot.
Cleanse your feet every day using moderate, not hot. It is possible that you are unable to feel heat on the soles of your feet. Therefore, be sure to test the water by using you hands before using it. Be careful not to soak too long in water since sores with water-logged wounds will take longer to heal.
Dry your feet as soon as you can Make sure to keep your feet dry and dry between all of your feet.
3. Check that your shoes are sized properly.
It’s an investment that’s worth it. The smallest rubbing or inadvertently worn shoe could cause an injury that can turn into a sore which is infected and will not heal.
Purchase better-fitting footwear, or try different socks even at the smallest symptoms of irritation or redness because you may not be able to tell the severity of it. Before you purchase or put on the shoes, make sure to check for rough edges, seams or other things that could harm your feet. Also, break the shoes in slowly.
4. Don’t wear barefoot.
Always wear slippers or shoes. Always wear socks along with your shoes because plastics, leather, and other man-made shoe materials could cause irritation to the the skin and swiftly cause blisters.
Although you may like the appearance of hoses or knee-highs made of nylon or even thin socks but you might find that these do not provide your heels or toes enough protection. Put on thicker socks to protect your feet and protect any sore spots or calluses.
5. Get involved.
Nerve damage can be unpredictably. Discuss with your doctor any changes in your sensation in your feet, toes or legs. Contact your doctor if you experience discomfort, tingling, pins-and needles sensation, numbness or any other signs that are unusual even if it appears trivial to you. There’s nothing tiny-potatoes to be said about the possibility of foot Amputation.
6. Keep your skin soft but dry.
Your skin could appear dry and cracked as a result of high levels of glucose and cracked skin is more likely for bacteria to enter into your skin and more difficult for infection to heal. Apply a small amount of lotion for your skin daily however, make sure that your feet feel dryand not sticky or damp, immediately afterward. Be careful not to rub the lotion between your toes.
Maintain your toenails neat and filed to prevent the possibility of ingrown toenails. It may be easier to file your nails following the application of lotion when your cuticles feel soft.
Use a pumice rock after showering or bathing to gently remove calluses and corns.
7. Try non-impact exercises.
Cycling, swimming, yoga and tai-chi are becoming increasingly popular methods to get fit — and without putting too much stress to your foot. Consult your physician prior to embarking on a workout program.
8. Repair corns, bunions, and hammertoes.
If the big of your foot is slanting towards your other toes, and you notice an enormous bulge on the top of your knuckle of your biggest toe, then you’re suffering from the classic bunion. Corns are areas of thick rough skin where the tissue gets pushed up onto toes that are constantly hammering due to too much pressure or rubbing. A toe that has buckled, also known as the hammertoe, may be the result of weak muscles due to diabetes nerve damage. These issues can make it difficult to wear shoes that are comfortable.
A podiatrist with experience can assist you in resolving these issues and also provide better care for your feet.
9. Take into consideration fitting orthotics.
A podiatrist may also provide shoes with inserts that are known as orthotics to help support your feet when you suffer from painful nerves from diabetes or your muscles have become weak due to nerve damage. If the weakness or pain is such that it’s painful or difficult to walk with a brace for your feet or orthotic shoes may aid. A podiatrist is the best resource for these devices.
10. Manage your blood sugar.
The best method of preventing nerve pain is to control your diabetes effectively. Indeed, a study conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases revealed that a strict control of blood glucose by utilizing intense insulin therapy reduced the chance for people suffering from Type I ( insulin requiring) diabetes to experience the symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathyburning, tingling, and pain, by 64 percent. The results have been proven to be valid for Type II diabetics also.
The two primary factors in determining whether you develop diabetic neuropathy is the number of years you’ve had diabetes, and how well you manage the level of your blood sugar. Other aspects, such as the control of your blood pressure and blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) and avoiding smoking cigarettes are essential in preventing diabetic neuropathy.
The control of your blood glucose can help reduce the signs of nerve pain caused by diabetes. The good news is that the control of your sugar levels by exercising, diet and, if required, medications can not only prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy but may also aid in easing the effects.
Guard Your Feet
Your feet are the basis of freedom or at the very least, its base. Make sure your feet are treated with a little tenderness, a touch of care each day. Make sure you get your doctor to examine your feet at each of your blood sugar checks to make sure you missed something.
