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Diabetes and Foot Care
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 For the millions of people who are currently living with diabetes, taking a long walk in the park or deciding exactly which pair of shoes to wear may take some careful consideration. People who have diabetes are vulnerable to foot blisters, cuts, scratches and sores due to peripheral neuropathy. Over time, having imbalanced blood glucose levels can lead to the development of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy causes nerve damage to feet and legs, resulting in a loss of sensation. Without this ability to feel the onset of an injury or sore, foot problems may go unrecognized. These unattended injuries and sores can quickly become severe, creating the potential for amputation of the foot or leg.
Proactive foot care begins with clean and suitable footwear followed by frequent self-examinations. Proper footwear includes wearing natural-fiber socks, and shoes with a hard sole. People who have diabetes should avoid wearing high heels, pointed toe shoes, or shoes that would expose their heels or toes to weather conditions. The risks for getting blisters and infections can further be reduced by changing your shoes often and only exercising or walking in shoes that are comfortable.
The American Diabetes Association further suggests caring for your feet includes a routine self-examination, gently washing them daily, and then applying a thin coat of lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet only. Be sure to dry the area between your toes carefully and keep the lotion out from between the toes. In addition, toenails should be regularly trimmed and filed with an emery board or nail file. Ask your family physician or podiatrist to assist you in safely trimming your toenails if you are unable to do so yourself.
As an active person with diabetes, remember the importance of checking your feet daily for ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, blisters, cuts, and scratches. Having even slight foot swelling, redness or change in color, an increase in tenderness, or a change in temperature, may all be indicators that you have a foot injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to immediately seek expertise and treatment from your family physician or podiatrist.
References:
WebMD. (2009). Caring for your feet with diabetes. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/caring-for-feet
American Diabetes Association. (2009). Foot Care. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/foot-care.jsp
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