Poor Houston diabetic foot care may lead to the loss of a leg or foot. A diabetic patient is more likely to experience foot problems because of less blood flow to the feet and damaged nerves. The best you can do in your condition is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to no or poor feeling in your feet and you might not feel even minor injuries. Sores and cuts may not heal properly due to reduced circulation in the feet. You might be susceptible to fungus or germs. Contact a Houston podiatrist for diabetes immediately you notice an infection for early treatment and prevention of the infection spreading.
How to enforce diabetic foot Care
- Inspect your feet daily; check for swelling, cuts, calluses, corn, redness, and changes to the nails and skin. Use a mirror to inspect the bottom of your feet.
- Wash the feet in lukewarm water daily. Dry the feet and apply lotion to the top and bottom of your feet and avoid lotion between your toes. Moisturizing the feet keeps them from cracking and itching due to dry skin. Moisturizing between the toes could encourage fungal infections and growth. Always be gentle when cleaning and drying your feet. Use a soft washcloth and pat dry the feet with a towel.
- Wear shoes all the time to avoid injury to the foot. Before wearing shoes, slippers or socks check inside to see there are no objects inside and that they are not worn out in a way that would hurt your feet.
- Always wear fitting shoes. When you buy new shoes buy them at the end of the day, then break in the shoes by wearing them one hour or two hours a day until they are comfortable. Wear socks with shoes.
- Trim toenails straight across and smooth sharp edges gently. Have your podiatrist trim them.
- To promote blood flow, keep the feet up when sitting. Every few minutes wiggle your toes through the day.
- Get a foot check whenever you visit the Houston diabetic foot doctor. Have a podiatrist examine your feet to check the blood flow and feeling.
- Choose activities that are friendly to the feet and check with your podiatrists which activities you should avoid.
Visit your podiatrist if you
- Have cramping or pain in your legs, thighs, and buttocks.
- Notice a change in the shape of the feet.
- Loss of the ability to feel cold or heat and even sense of touch.
- A change in temperature and color of the feet.
- Loss of hair in the lower extremities.
- Yellow and thickened toenails.
- See signs of fungal infections.
- A sore, ingrown toenail, blister, ulcer, or infected cut or wound.
Prevent foot complications by maintaining regular home care and going to all podiatrists’ appointments. This will also prevent small foot problems from becoming complicated.