Getting a diabetes diagnosis changes a lot about your life. Some things most people would anticipate, like monitoring your blood sugar and modifying your diet. But it can also come with unexpected adjustments, like a need for increased foot care.
Here at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic, Sean Rosenblum, DPM, and our team offer dedicated diabetic foot care to help you protect your podiatric health. But we also want to empower you to take steps at home. So here are a few tips people with diabetes can employ to help keep their feet healthy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people with diabetes check their feet daily. Whether you do it before you get out of bed or as part of your wind-down at the end of the day, make it a point to thoroughly examine your feet.
As you scan your feet, look for any wounds, dried blood, corns, or calluses. Check your toenails to make sure they’re growing normally and look healthy, too.
Clean and dry feet prevent infection. After you exercise, wash your feet, and when putting shoes back on, choose clean socks.
Also, be mindful of where you’re walking. If you regularly visit a gym locker room or a pool with a damp floor, bring sandals with you to protect your feet from fungal infections.
Ingrown toenails can quickly develop into a serious problem if you have diabetes. To prevent this foot problem, trim your toenails straight instead of curving them down at the edges. Also, leave the nails long enough that the corners of the nail sit atop your skin instead of nestling into the edges of your nail bed.
A well-protected foot has the best chance of staying a healthy foot, so think carefully about your footwear. Choose shoes that fit well with plenty of space in the toe box to avoid blisters and calluses.
With socks, pick a pair that’s breathable and gives your foot some cushioning. Make sure they’re clean, too.
Regular foot care should be a part of your life after a diabetes diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. For a team to partner with you to make it easier to keep your feet healthy, call our office or book an appointment with Dr. Rosenblum online today.
