Watch Your Feet

A person with diabetes (especially uncontrolled diabetes) needs to inspect his feet frequently (daily).  As the high blood sugar does damage to blood vessels and nerves, the decreased blood flow and nerve damage can cause feet to lose feeling.  That person may step on something and not realize there is an injury until the foot becomes swollen, reddened and infected. 

 WebMD “Diabetes and Foot Problems” webpage says this: 

·       Work with your doctor to control your blood sugar/diabetes and protect your feet. 

·       Wash (not soak) your feet DAILY in warm water (check the water temperature with your elbow to avoid a burn.  Your hands may have decreased feeling also.

·       Dry your feet well, including between toes

·       Inspect your feet daily for sores, blisters, redness, calluses. 

·       Weekly check your toenails.  Trim straight across with a nail clipper.  Don’t round corners or cut down besides the nails.  Smooth freshly cut toenails with a file. 

·       Wear well-fitting shoes that protect your feet.  Closed-toe shoes will protect your feet much more than sandals or going barefoot. Going barefoot isn’t a good idea for people who want to protect their feet from injuries.  Check your shoes before you put them on to make sure Fido or the kids did not leave something inside which could injure your foot. 

·       Wear socks or stockings that fit well and have soft elastic.

·       See your doctor for any foot problems that get worse, including sores which do not heal

·       They give additional suggestions on how to care for your feet at http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/foot-problems?page=3  Do you know whether your insurance/Medicare will pay for podiatrist care of your feet?   Check as they might include that as a covered service.