Diabetic Foot Care: Routine Prevention

What You Need To Know

Understanding your risk level is the first step toward protecting your feet.

Routine Preventive Diabetic Foot Care

If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes and need to determine your risk for getting into trouble with your feet, if you suffer from numbness and need your feet checked on a regular basis, or if you are dealing with an ulcer that has been hard to heal, please contact our specialists at Bay Area Foot Care. We are proud to offer comprehensive and specialized diabetic foot care.

People with diabetes need to take special care with their feet, since they are especially susceptible to foot problems. Poor circulation and nerve damage (known as peripheral neuropathy) are two aspects of the disease that can lead to serious complications. A lack of feeling may keep you from knowing there is an issue, and even something as small as a scratch can quickly turn into a major concern.

We offer comprehensive foot assessments to determine your individualized risk level. Not all patients with diabetes are at the same risk for foot problems. Some patients we will want to see every three to four months for what is frequently called preventive diabetic foot care, while others can go a year before another foot evaluation. It is important to know where you stand.

For patients at heightened risk, having a foot callus trimmed down every two to three months is essential to staying ulcer free. It is also important that higher risk patients get into protective and specialty footwear. If you have diabetes and have not had a recent foot evaluation, please reach out to schedule one with our team.

Daily Care and Prevention Tips

Because it is important to catch any foot problems before they become serious, those with diabetes should perform foot self-exams daily. Inspect for things like swelling, redness, and temperature change, all signs of possible problems. Also look for calluses and corns that often develop on pressure areas like the ball of the foot. If your heels are cracked from dryness, those cracks may worsen and can get infected, just as cuts and blisters can.

There are also steps you can take every day to avoid problems. Never go barefoot, since sensation loss can prevent you from realizing you have stepped on a sharp rock or piece of glass. Make sure your shoes fit properly to avoid rubbing that could cause blisters, and change your socks every day to keep them clean and dry.

Keep your toenails trimmed, and when you wash your feet, use warm water and mild soap. Avoid hot water. Towel your feet off thoroughly, especially between toes where bacteria and fungi can build. Apply lotion to keep dryness at bay, avoiding between the toes. While sitting, try not to cross your legs for long stretches, as this places pressure on the circulation and nerves of the extremities.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is also essential for keeping your weight at a healthy level and your blood glucose in check. We can help you develop a nutritional plan and an exercise program that suits your lifestyle. Schedule a visit with our team to build a preventive care plan that fits your needs.