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In
the Spotlight
Taking
Care of Your Feet: A Guide for People with Diabetes
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If
you have diabetes,
taking care of your feet is very important. Nerve damage that
can result from the diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in
your feet. You may not feel a blister caused by poorly fitting
shoes, or a pebble inside your sock that is causing a sore.
Foot
injuries such as these can cause ulcers
or other vascular damage that may lead to amputation. Taking
good care of your feet is most important if you have a loss
of feeling in your feet, changes in the shape of your feet,
or foot ulcers or sores that do not heal.
What
Can I Do to Take Care of My Feet?
By
keeping your blood sugar (glucose) level in good control and
taking care of your feet, you can help avoid serious foot problems.
Here are some tips on how:
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Take
care of your diabetes
Make healthy lifestyle choices to keep your blood sugar
close to normal. Keeping your blood sugar under good control
may help prevent or delay diabetes-related foot problems,
as well as eye and kidney disease.
Work
with your health care team to make a plan that fits your lifestyle.
Your team will help you to:
Know
how and when to test your blood sugar.
Take prescribed medicines.
Eat regular meals that contain a variety of healthy, low-fat,
high-fiber foods including fruits and vegetables each day.
Increase your physical activity each day.
Follow your foot care plan.
Keep your doctors appointments and have your feet, eyes, and
kidneys checked at least once a year.
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Check
your feet every day
You may have serious foot problems, but feel no pain. Check
your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected
toenails. Find a time (evening is best) to check your feet
each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine.
If
you have trouble seeing your feet, use a mirror to help. You
can also ask a family member or caregiver to help you.
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Wash
your feet every day
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Dont soak your feet,
because your skin will get dry.
Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between your toes. Use
talcum powder to keep the skin between your toes dry.
Keep
the skin soft and smooth
| Call
Your Doctor! |
| Make
sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, sore,
blister, or bruise on your foot does not begin to
heal after one day. |
|
Rub
a thin coat of skin lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the
tops and bottoms of your feet.
Do
not put lotion or cream between your toes, because this might
cause an infection.
Smooth
corns and calluses gently
After
bathing or showering, use a pumice stone to smooth corns
and calluses. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth
the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing
the skin...Continued
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