Foot Care For Diabetic Patients

Proper foot care for diabetic patients is very important. Poor foot care with diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including Foot ulceration, sepsis, and amputation are known and feared by almost every person who has diabetes diagnosed. Yet these are potentially the most preventable of all diabetic complications by the simplest techniques of education and care.

A person with diabetes, is more vulnerable to foot problems Every 30 seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the worldbecause diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. By taking proper care of your feet, most serious health problems associated with diabetes can be prevented.

However some people have very low risk while some have very high risk. Grading the risk helps the individuals and the health professionals to take appropriate measures without being too relaxed or too strict. This is not only good for the individuals, it also helps to direct valuable health care resources to people who need it. Patients at low risk only need general advice. Patients at high risk need detailed, specific and practical footcare instruction.

The overall risk of an individual developing a diabetic foot ulcer is determined by a combination of factors. In general, the risk is higher if:

• Neuropathy is more severe (because more sensation is lost)
• Peripheral vascular disease is more severe (because there is less circulation to bring enough oxygen to repair tissue damage)
• There are coexisting abnormalities of the shape of the foot which make the local effects of neuropathy or vascular disease more severe (because it increases local pressure and callus)
• The person is unable to practise reasonable self care to maintain general condition of the feet and to prevent trauma (because there are more chances of damaging the feet)
• The diabetic control is very poor (because of susceptibility to infection and poor wound healing)
• There is a past history of foot ulceration due to diabetes (because the above factors often persist)
  

Here are some diabetes foot care tips to follow.

• Wash and Dry Your Feet Daily
• Use mild soaps.
• Use warm water
• Pat your skin dry; do not rub. Thoroughly dry your feet.
• After washing, use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking. Do not put lotion between your toes.
  

Examine Your Feet Each Day

• Check the tops and bottoms of your feet. Have someone else look at your feet if you cannot see them.
• Check for dry, cracked skin.
• Look for blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores.
• Check for redness, increased warmth, or tenderness when touching any area of your feet.
• Check for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses.
• If you get a blister or sore from your shoes, do not "pop" it. Apply a bandage and wear a different pair of shoes.
  

Take Care of Your Toenails

• Cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft.
• Cut toenails straight across and smooth with a nail file.
• Avoid cutting into the corners of toes.
• You may want a podiatrist (foot doctor) to cut your toenails.

Be Careful When Exercising

• Walk and exercise in comfortable shoes.
• Do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet.
• Protect Your Feet With Shoes and Socks
• Never go barefoot. Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or hard-soled slippers or footwear.
• Avoid shoes with high heels and pointed toes.
• Avoid shoes that expose your toes or heels (such as open-toed shoes or sandals). These types of shoes increase your risk for injury and potential infections.
• Try on new footwear with the type of socks you usually wear.
• Do not wear new shoes for more than an hour at a time.
• Look and feel inside your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no foreign objects or rough areas.
• Avoid tight socks.
• Wear natural-fiber socks (cotton, wool, or a cotton-wool blend).
• Wear special shoes if your health care provider recommends them.
• Wear shoes/boots that will protect your feet from various weather conditions (cold, moisture, etc.).
• Make sure your shoes fit properly. If you have neuropathy (nerve damage), you may not notice that your shoes are too tight. Perform the "footwear test" described below.

To schedule an health check or a diabetic check ,please email to enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net

courtesy:
Diabetic Foot Diseases
Webmd.com