Foot Care For Diabetes: Part Two

By Ade Adetunji, DPM

Largo Foot and Ankle Health Center

. http://www.largofoot.com/

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Foot Care For Diabetes: Part Two

Part Two

When you have diabetes, taking care of your feet everyday pays off with fewer foot problems. Here are some tips:

• Wash your feet each day. Dry them carefully, especially between your toes.
• Check your feet each day for sores, calluses, red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottom of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help. Also feel your feet to find cold or hot spots.
•  Don’t walk barefoot. You can burn or cut your feet.
• Do not cut calluses or corns yourself. See your health care provider if cutting is needed.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking cuts off blood flow.
• Clean injuries right away. And call your health care provider, no matter how small your wound. A tiny cut on the foot can quickly become large and infected. Also call if you get a blister on your foot, your skin cracks open, or your foot hurts.
• Use skin cream, but not between toes; to make dry, scaly feet more comfortable.
• Cut toenails straight across. File the edges so they are smooth, not jagged.
• Make sure your health care provider checks your feet at least once a year. More often if you have foot problems.
• Keep your diabetes under control. High blood sugar levels are behind most foot problems of people with diabetes.