Do you know that diabetic patients are more predisposed to foot problems? Diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition that occurs when you have a high glucose level in the bloodstream. Over time, the high proportion of blood sugar causes nerve damage, causing tingling and pain in the feet. Worse, the cuts and wounds in the feet will take a long before they heal because of reduced blood flow. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you should adopt the following diabetic foot care Wappingers Falls guidelines to stay in tune with your foot health.
Keep Your Feet Clean
Washing your feet can do you good in preventing foot complications. Use clean water and mild soaps to wash your feet’ skin gently. Washing your feet helps alleviate dirt that could trigger infections in the prone foot areas. Avoid hot water since it can damage your skin. Dry your feet afterward using a soft towel to minimize the infections that could occur between your toes due to moisture.
Get Moving
Physical exercise is another thing you should never underrate when you have diabetes. Notably, the exercise helps to boost the blood circulation in your lower body part, thus lowering the risk of foot complications. Spare at least thirty minutes each day and engage in moderate exercises such as walking.
Stop Smoking
You may not know how much smoking can impact your feet’ health until you develop foot concerns. The cigarette components usually cause narrowing in the blood vessels, thus limiting the number of nutrients and oxygen reaching the lower extremities. Consequently, your loss of sensation will worsen, thus exposing you to cuts without even knowing. You should therefore take the necessary steps to quit your smoking habit.
Wear the Comfortable Shoes
Sometimes the nerve damage in your feet can change your feet’ shape, making it uncomfortable when walking in your favorite shoes. In that case, you should invest in shoes with ample room for your feet. If you participate in sporting activities, consult your coach when choosing footwear for your sport.
Check Your Feet Regularly
How often do you inspect your feet? Checking your feet at least daily is recommended to ensure that your feet are in good condition. Place the magnifying mirror on the ground and examine the area below your feet to see whether you have bruises or cracks. Once you notice something unusual on your feet, you should see your doctor.
Trim Your Nails
The overgrown nails on your feet can provide a conducive environment for fungal infections. Therefore, you should cut your nails more often to minimize the risk of those infections. Avoid cutting your nail too short since you could develop an ingrown toenail. File your nails afterward to achieve evenness, thus reducing the risk of hurting the feet area.
Individuals with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing foot concerns. High blood sugar usually causes nerve damage along the feet, which triggers numbness and pain. The reduced sensation also exposes diabetic patients to cuts without knowing. Fortunately, adopting diabetic foot care guidelines can help you reduce the chances of foot problems. For example, washing your feet will eliminate dirt that could have caused infections on the prone areas on your feet. Light exercises are also necessary to improve blood circulation in your feet.
