What is diabetic foot care?
Diabetes leads to a host of complications all over your body. Ongoing issues with blood sugar fluctuations damage tissues, veins, and even nerves.
Since blood circulation is also affected by diabetes, your extremities, especially your feet and toes, don’t receive an adequate blood supply to repair tissues when you have an infection.
To make matters worse, when a wound or cut does occur, you may not know it’s there due to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).
Because of this, as well as decreased circulation, even the smallest of wounds can stay open for an excessive period of time, and this can lead to a serious wound or ulcer.
Diabetic foot care involves taking preventive measures with your dedicated podiatrist to keep your feet healthy. Your podiatrist counsels you on how to properly care for your feet at home, how to check for wounds, and how to decrease your risk of limb-threatening diabetic ulcers.
How often should I see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?
Dr. Rosenblum encourages you to come into Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic for an annual diabetic foot care exam. If you have a history of diabetic wounds or were recently diagnosed with diabetes, Dr. Rosenblum may want to see you twice a year or even quarterly.
But there are certainly times outside of these preventive care exams when you may need to come into the clinic. Dr. Rosenblum encourages you to schedule an appointment right away if:
- You see a wound, even if it’s minor
- Your feet are red or warm to the touch
- You notice drainage or blood in your socks
- You develop fungal nails, corns or calluses, or foot warts
These are just some of the initial warning signs that you may have diabetic foot complications, or that you’re at risk of developing issues.
What happens during a diabetic foot care exam?
During your diabetic foot care exam at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic, Dr. Rosenblum spends time talking with you about your health history. He thoroughly examines your feet and gets to the root of any symptoms you’re experiencing. Depending on your foot and ankle health, Dr. Rosenblum may:
- Trim your toenails
- Remove calluses or corns
- Treat ingrown toenails or wounds (wound debridement)
- Get you fitted for diabetic shoes or custom orthotic inserts
- Prescribe topical or oral medications for infections, including fungal nails
Dr. Rosenblum is an expert in diabetic foot care as well as limb salvage. He’s diligent about ensuring you receive the comprehensive treatment and personalized education you need to prevent serious diabetic foot complications.
Schedule your diabetic foot examination at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic today. You can conveniently book an appointment either online or over the phone.
