The Diabetic Foot
It is very important to look after your feet if you are diabetic.
Why?
Diabetes can cause a loss of feeling to your feet, known as peripheral neuropathy, which is a result of nerve damage. It can also cause peripheral vascular disease, where not enough blood and oxygen get to the feet because of blocked arteries.
Both peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease mean that injuries to the foot do not heal well and sore or injured feet go unnoticed. Infection and ulceration can result, which at worst can lead to gangrene, and then foot amputation (e.g. diabetics are 15% more likely to have a limb amputated due to gangrene than non-diabetics).
Foot care tips if you have diabetes:
- Look after your body by taking regular exercise, and eating a well-balanced diet (cutting out fatty foods and complex carbs) in order to control your diabetes as a whole.
- It is important to try to stop smoking. Smoking impairs the blood circulation, particularly in people with diabetes, and can seriously worsen foot and leg problems.
- Check your feet daily – using a mirror if necessary to check that there are no abrasions anywhere on your feet
- Clean your feet daily – noting any changes to colour, sensation, and pain levels etc. Report any changes to your GP or Foot Health Practitioner.
- Have regular foot maintenance appointments with a Foot Health Practitioner (so that they can keep an eye on your feet, cutting toenails and treating any corns or callus as necessary).
- Treat ulcers urgently within 24 hours, especially if there is redness or swelling around the area, or in an area where you’ve previously been warned to seek immediate attention.
Please contact Nicola at Nicola Ruddick mobile footcare now for more information and to make an appointment for foot maintenance.
