Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease which can slowly affect the nerves and vessels of the foot, resulting in loss of sensation to minor injuries, and lack of circulation resulting in poor wound healing. A deadly combination results in uncontrolled diabetes, where the patient often picks up on an injury of the foot in a late stage, often necessitating a toe/partial amputation of the foot to save the patient’s life. Amputation is dreaded surgery for both the doctor and the patient, but it becomes important to carry out in order to stop the spread of infection and necrosis.
Adopting a few habits in daily foot care go a long way for all diabetics, to avoid such complications.
1. Do - Inspect your feet
Check your feet and toes, inspecting the tops, sides, soles, heels, and the area in between the toes. If you’re physically unable to inspect your own feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help. Contact your doctor immediately if you discover any sores, redness, cuts, blisters, or bruises.
2. Do - Wash your feet
Wash your feet every day in warm water with mild soap. Hot water and harsh soaps can damage your skin. Check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow before putting your feet in. Your diabetes may make it difficult to sense water temperature with your feet.
3. Do- Dry your feet
Pat your feet to dry them and make sure to dry well. Infections tend to develop in moist areas, so make sure you dry the area between your toes well.
4. Do- Moisturize dry skin. If the skin on your feet feels rough or dry, use lotion or oil. Do not use lotion between your toes.
5. Do- Protect your feet from heat and cold.
6. Don’t – Don’t apply antiseptic solutions without your doctor’s approval- they can burn your skin.
7. Don’t use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or electric blanket on your feet.
8.Don’t walk barefoot. Even walking barefoot around the house can cause sores or injuries that can get infected.
9. Don’t attempt to remove corns, calluses, warts, or other foot lesions yourself. Don’t use chemical wart removers, razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn or callus removers. See your doctor or podiatrist.
10. Don’t sit with your legs crossed or stand in one position for long periods of time.