Essential Tips For Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized by high blood sugar levels, which are brought on by the absence of insulin in the body due to the body’s inability to produce it. Insulin is what is responsible for controlling your blood sugar levels in your body. Being constantly thirsty, hungry and frequently needing to use the bathroom are early signs of diabetes. In the late stage, diabetes can cause kidney failure, blindness, or artery problems that lead to stroke. It may also cause poor wound healing, which can lead to limb amputation.
What Is Diabetic Foot?
Diabetic foot is a common issue that arises with diabetes. It is caused by different diabetes symptoms.
Your calluses can break down – this is when you develop a crack in them, which can breakdown and develop into an ulcer with time.
Infection is another reason because diabetics have poor blood circulation. Your body’s ability to combat infection will become impaired. Just a small bacterial infection in between your toes or nails can worsen with time and become uncontrollable and make the infection bigger and bigger.
Nerve damage is also to blame for minor cuts and wounds that are accidental and caused by the lack of sensation in your foot. A diabetics’ nervous system gets damaged, especially in the foot, by the onset of the disease. This causes your body’s defense mechanism to dull and make pain, heat or pressure harder to notice or feel. This is why when a diabetic person steps on something sharp or hot, they can’t immediately sense this and this can cause the wound to be a lot worse.
How To Take Care Of Your Diabetic Foot
Make sure that you are wearing the correct shoes and slippers made especially for diabetics. Do not walk barefoot! Choosing the right footwear is important to your foot health, because poor fitting shoes are a common cause of foot injury, especially to diabetics. Pick shoes that are made out of breathable materials and have mesh vents in order to keep the feet dry and prevent bacteria from forming.
The use of diabetic socks is also beneficial, as these are designed for diabetics and are designed to protect you from irritation. They do not have seams and fit just like a second skin. This prevents poor circulation and blisters caused by tightness on your seams. These are also usually made with smart moisture-wicking fibres, which prevent moisture build-up and keep the feet dry, thus preventing the growth of bacteria.
Remember to always get regular foot inspections, make it a habit to check your feet for any blisters or cuts that might be developing.
Washing your feet regularly is important every day. You should use some mild soap and water. Make sure the water is not too hot and that you don’t soak your feet for too long.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it doesn’t mean you have to live your life with pain every day. If you take care of yourself and know the right information and practice it, you can protect yourself from debilitation.