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Diabetes
is a common disease that is the body's inability to break
down sugar, therefore creating high blood sugar. Many
people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic
nerve damage, which can cause diminished feeling in the
feet. As a result, cuts, scratches and breaks in the skin
can occur without you feeling them and cause an infection.
If
you have diabetes, you may not notice rough seams in
your shoes or socks that are rubbing against your skin
and causing it to break down. You may also not be aware
of weakening joints, which can cause you to change the
way you put pressure on your feet as you walk. In turn,
friction you can't feel may cause your skin to blister
or crack, opening a path for ulcers and infection.
Your
blood nourishes tissues and carries infection-fighting
cells to those tissues that need them. Because diabetes
can cause circulatory problems, your feet may be suffering
from a reduced blood supply putting you at greater risk
for infection.
The
overriding goal of foot care for diabetics is to stop
infection before it starts. You can help prevent infection
by keeping the skin of your feet healthy and intact
by taking immediate steps to care for any irritation
that does occur. The utmost important prevention of
infection is to keep the blood sugar under control.
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Take
Notice!
If
you have diabetes and experience any of these symptoms,
it is important that you bring them to the attention
of your physician or podiatrist.
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Changes in the color of the skin on your feet |
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Changes in skin temperature |
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Pain
in the legs, either at rest or while walking |
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Swelling
of the foot or ankle |
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Open
sores that are slow to heal or never heal |
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Ingrown
or yellowish toenails |
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Corns
or calluses |
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Cracks
in the skin, especially around the heel |
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Prevention is Key
The
key to successful management of diabetes is keeping your
blood sugar level under control and taking good care of
your feet every day. Regular visits to a podiatrist -
twice a year - are important so that the health of your
feet can be closely monitored.
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The
following self-examination guidelines can help you
minimize the foot problems that diabetes may cause.
However, these guidelines are not a substitute for
professional care.
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Self-Exam
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1.
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Check
your feet everyday for: |
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- Inflamed
areas (redness, swelling and heat indicate a
possible infection)
- Broken
skin (cracks, sores and ulcers may cause infection)
- Infected skin (including breaks with pus or clear drainage, bleeding and foul odor)
- Ingrown
toenails (irritated skin causes infection)
- Red
streaks (indicate possible internal infection)
- Pale
or blue skin (indicates poor circulation)
- Changes in "feeling" such as pain, tingling sensation, burning, numbness or complete lack of feeling (may indicate nerve damage)
- Swelling
or tenderness (may indicate infection and/or
poor circulation)
- Areas
that are cold to the touch (may indicate poor
circulation)
- Use
a mirror to help you see the bottoms of your
feet. If you can't see your feet clearly, ask
someone else to inspect them for you. Call your
physician or podiatrist if you notice any of
the above conditions.
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2.
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NEVER
cut corns or calluses. You may cause infection.
Your podiatrist can cut them for you. |
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3.
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To
prevent ingrown toenails, keep your toenails short
and cut them straight across, never cut the corners
too deep or curved. |
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4.
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Avoid
weight gain, or lose weight if necessary, to minimize
the pressure on your feet and help keep your blood
sugar under control. |
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5.
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Never
go barefoot, even inside your home. A minor cut
or scratch that goes unnoticed can lead to a serious
infection. |
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6.
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Wear
thick, smooth-fitting socks and stockings. Avoid
mended socks or those with seams which can cause
blisters. |
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7.
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Stop
smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Smoking can
lead to circulatory problems and alcohol can contribute
to neuropathy (disease of the nervous system). |
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8.
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Stay
active. Walking is the best overall conditioner
for the feet. Swimming is also great exercise. |
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9.
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Avoid
wearing girdles, garters or any garment that may
restrict blood flow to your feet. |
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10.
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If
you have circulation problems, avoid crossing your
legs when sitting, which can compress blood vessels
even more. |
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11.
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Wash
your feet each day with soap and warm (never hot)
water. Check the water temperature with your elbow
since you may not be able to feel temperature accurately
with your hand or foot. Dry your feet thoroughly
including between the toes. Apply moisturizing cream
to feet (but not between the toes) to keep them
from becoming dry and possibly cracking. Use foot
powder to absorb extra moisture. |
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12.
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Never
use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your feet
for any reason. |
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13.
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Do
not use medication on your feet unless recommended
by your podiatrist, especially corn removers and
other acidic medication. |
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14.
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Before
putting on your shoes, always check inside them
for pebbles, rough seams, glass, or insects. |
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