Diabetes causes two major conditions; diabetic neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Neuropathy decreases a diabetic's ability to feel their feet, while PAD decreases the ability to heal. Combined, these two conditions can be very dangerous, as Diabetics won't be able to tell when they're injured, potentially leaving wounds untreated and prone to infection. For this reason, proper foot care is crucial for Diabetics.

Do:

Manicure them carefully.

Part of your daily foot care routine should include washing your feet daily in warm water but being careful not to soak them for an extended amount of time. Always dry them completely, including between your toes, to keep infection-causing bacteria away.

 Trim your toenails straight across and use a file on any sharp edges that could get caught and injure you. If you cannot reach your own toenails, enlist a podiatrist to help you. Don't remove corns, bunions, or calluses yourself. Again, these tasks should be left in the hands of your doctor to prevent injury.

Wear proper footwear.

If you have prescribed footwear, such as diabetic shoes or custom orthotics, try to wear them whenever possible. These shoes and sole inserts are designed to be shock absorbent and give extra support, helping with circulation and minimizing the risk of physical pain and infections.

Don't:

Walk barefoot.

Diabetes can cause numbness in your feet, and going barefoot can be dangerous. Due to decreased sensation in your feet, you may not feel when the ground is too hot, causing severe burns and infection. Diabetics are also prone to circulation problems, meaning that small punctures in the skin can cause severe infections. Wearing shoes protects you from hard-to-notice injuries that can lead to serious foot problems.

Cross your legs.

Sitting with your legs crossed cuts off your blood circulation, and keeping them crossed for too long can block blood flow to your feet. If you have any wounds on your feet, this will make it even harder for blood to reach them and heal. This increases their chance of becoming dangerously infected.

If you have diabetes or suffer from foot problems, visit Westside Podiatry Group in Rochester, NY, for specialized foot care. These board-certified podiatrists know how to alleviate pain and treat foot problems resulting from diabetic complications. Call (585) 225-2290 to schedule an appointment and start your personalized treatment plan. Or visit their website to learn more about their treatments for injuries, infections, and wound complications.