It is no secret that lifestyle modifications such as eating a healthy diet and being active are key to managing your diabetes, but did you also know that regular screenings, including checking your feet are also essential? You may have heard that regular foot care is also an important part of your diabetes regimen and want to know more. Let’s take a look at why taking care of your feet is so important and learn some simple steps for proper foot care so you can add this tool to your diabetes toolkit!
Risks for people with diabetes
When diabetes causes blood sugars to rise over time, this can lead to poor circulation and damage to nerve endings, commonly affecting the feet. Nerve damage can cause tingling, burning and decreased sensation or numbness. Unfortunately, numbness in the feet means you may not be able to feel when your foot is injured, such as a cut from stepping on something sharp or tissue damage that can be caused from when the water in the bathtub is too hot. Any injuries you may have can also be further complicated by poor circulation. Decreased blood flow means the circulatory system is not able to bring white blood cells, vital nutrients and other important substances to the site of the injury to aid in the healing process.
A scrape, scratch or even an area experiencing friction or pressure on the foot can lead to an open wound for diabetics, often referred to as a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). If not properly treated, DFUs can progress to the point where amputation of a toe, foot or leg may be necessary. Sadly, research shows that major amputations significantly increase the risk of other diabetic complications and even death. For this reason, it is very important that patients with diabetes properly care for their feet and seek treatment immediately for any abnormalities.
6 key elements to properly caring for your feet
Wear well-fitting footwear
Protect your feet at all times – never go barefoot, even indoors! Wear socks and shoes that are comfortable, fit well and support your feet. Good shoes are often made of flexible, breathable materials such as leather or cloth. You may even be able to talk to your doctor to get a prescription for shoes specifically designed for people with diabetes. Look inside your shoes before putting them on. Check for objects, insects, or potential tears in the lining. Also, look for socks without seams as seams can cause pressure and rubbing. Make sure you change your socks daily too! Click here for a checklist on how to select proper shoes and socks for your feet.
Wash and check your feet daily
Since you may not always feel if there has been a change or injury to your feet, it is important to inspect them daily. A suitable time to do this is when you bathe or shower! When washing your feet, use warm water and check the temperature with your wrist to make sure it is not too hot first. Use a mild soap to wash your feet all over including between your toes. Once you are done, pat your feet dry with a towel, and make sure to dry between your toes to remove any moisture that could cause the skin to breakdown or lead to bacteria or fungal growth. Gently use a pumice stone to prevent calluses, if your doctor has instructed you on how to use it.
Hydrate your skin to keep it soft
Use lanolin or another moisturizing cream approved by your doctor on the tops and the bottoms of your feet, avoiding the area between the toes. Keeping the skin hydrated, helps it to stay soft and prevent cracking and calluses.
Be especially careful when trimming toenails
Keep your toenails well-trimmed; it is best to do this by filing them regularly to avoid potentially nicking or cutting the skin. If you do need to clip the nail, make sure to trim them straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Or, better yet, have a foot doctor or other foot care specialist trained in diabetic foot care do it for you!
Seek treatment right away for any problems or abnormalities
When checking your feet, it is important to inspect the bottom of the foot as well as the top and in between the toes. If you are not able to reach the bottom of your foot, use a mirror or have someone else in your home help you look. Check for color changes, patches where hair is missing, sores or blisters, calluses or peeling skin and ingrown toenails. Report any changes you observe to your doctor right away! Consider printing off a list of what to watch out for (like this one) to help you remember.
Have regular foot exams done by a doctor
Finally, it is important to have a doctor do a full foot exam at least once a year. These exams check for nerve damage (neuropathy), poor circulation, injury and other potential problems. The doctor will want to check your footwear for proper fit and then remove the shoes and socks on both feet to perform a visual assessment, check for sensation (often referred to as a monofilament test), and check reflexes and circulation.
The popular saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, certainly applies to foot care in people with diabetes. Preventing potential injury and catching foot problems early can reduce the risk of developing serious complications like diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Starting today, you can give your feet some attention and potentially prevent future hospitalizations and/or other complications by doing something as simple as checking your feet daily, scheduling your next annual foot exam with your doctor and potentially even investing in a pair of protective footwear!
Interested in more information on how to manage your diabetes? Check out this article on “Diabetes Self-Management”.