Foot care for diabetics

It’s important to understand why diabetes and foot care is inter-related. Diabetes reduces the blood flow to the feet, it also causes nerve damage. It’s hard to notice a cut or blister if you can’t feel the pain or discomfort in your feet. Delay in spotting and treating these minor injuries can lead to bigger problems. In extreme cases, it can even lead to amputation.

• Check your feet daily: Take ten minutes from your schedule and do this religiously. Check for cuts, blisters, bruises, redness and swelling. Don’t forget to check in between the toes. Call your doctor if you notice any kind of abnormality.
• Wash your feet every day: Use warm water and a mild soap to cleanse your feet thoroughly. Avoid soaking your feet for a long time. Remember to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Moisture between the toes is an invitation for fungal infections.
• Wear comfortable shoes: Apart from the fit, check the material of the shoe. Ensure it does not pinch or rub your skin. Shoe bites and diabetes should stay miles away from each other. Protect your feet from the elements. Prefer to use covered shoes with clean socks.

    Not sure if you are wearing the right shoes? Here is a simple test to help you!

Stand on a piece of paper and trace the outline of your foot.
Next trace the outline of your foot.
Compare the two. Ideally, the shoe should be as broad as your foot and should be half an inch longer.

• Keep your toenails trimmed: Cut your nails straight. Don’t try to round the edges or cut the sides, it may lead to ingrown toenails. Avoid getting a pedicure at a salon as the instruments may not be sterilized and a small cut or bruise could lead to an infection.

• Moisturise your feet: To keep cracked heels at bay, it’s necessary to keep your feet moisturised. But ensure that your feet are not damn or sticky afterwards. Avoid moisturising the region between your toes.
• Treating minor corns or calluses: Even though they seem really minor, if they get infected, even the smallest of corns or calluses can cause a world of trouble. Stay safe, call your healthcare advisors and get them to take a look at it.
• Situations in which you MUST reach out to your doctor: If your feet are cold or they hurt, or if they have changed colour to a shade of black and blue, pick up the phone and call your doctor.