Foot Complications & Diabetes
Our Caregiving Services Can Make All the Difference
People with diabetes should pay extra attention to their feet because of
possible nerve damage or poor blood flow to the lower extremities. Once
the nerves have been damaged, a person might lose feeling in their feet
and not notice when they have injured their foot, leading to possible
infection. It can take longer for an injury to heal when someone has diabetes
and this, too, contributes to the possibility of infection.
Experts recommend that, in order to reduce or delay complications such
as a loss of feeling in the feet, those living with diabetes should manage
their condition with a healthy diet, regular exercise, controlling weight
and blood pressure, and not smoking.
Even for those people who are making good choices to manage this disease,
it is recommended that they also adopt some daily habits for healthy feet:
- If unable to do a daily self-exam of the feet, ask a loved one to check them. Look for any signs of injury such as cuts, blisters, swelling, ingrown toenails, or extreme dryness on the tops and bottoms of the feet.
- Wash feet with warm water every day, but do not soak them. Additional moisture can increase the risk of infection.
- Ask a family member or a professional to safely trim toenails on a regular basis.
- Wear different shoes as frequently as possible and choose comfortable socks and shoes.
- Much like the warning to not soak the feet, avoid putting lotion between the toes, so that there is no excess moisture that could lead to an infection.
The combination of reduced blood flow to the feet and reduced sensation in the feet leads to increased risk for ulcers and infections that can become severe. Complications from diabetes can even lead to amputation of the foot or leg.
Contact Homewatch CareGivers® today. We’d be glad to answer any questions you have about foot care related to diabetes.