Our El Paso Podiatrists Discuss the Importance of Diabetic Foot Care
Living with diabetes involves carefully managing your blood sugar and paying close attention to your health, including the condition of your feet. What may seem at first to be a relatively minor foot problem can quickly turn into a serious complication when diabetes is involved. That's why partnering with a skilled podiatrist for routine diabetic foot care is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and quality of life.
The experienced podiatrists at The Foot Institute in El Paso, TX, understand the unique challenges diabetes poses to foot health. We work closely with our diabetic patients to provide effective treatment for problems like diabetic foot ulcers and work proactively to help them manage slow-healing wounds and avoid serious complications.
Why Diabetes Poses a Risk to Foot Health
Foot health is a major concern for people with diabetes for several reasons. For example, uncontrolled blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and legs, leading to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This condition causes numbness, tingling, and a loss of sensation that makes it difficult to detect cuts, sores, or changes in temperature.
Diabetes also often causes reduced blood circulation to the feet. Poor blood flow slows down healing, allowing minor injuries to progress into serious wounds called diabetic foot ulcers.
The combination of decreased sensation and impaired wound healing creates the perfect storm for limb-threatening infections in people with diabetes. In fact, people with diabetes may have a 15 times greater risk of requiring a lower-limb amputation compared to those without the disease.
While these complications may seem inevitable, most are preventable with proper diabetic foot care. For people with diabetes, immediate treatment of food problems paired with routine podiatry visits are critical for identifying problems early and implementing prompt treatment. By catching potential problems like ingrown toenails, fungal infections, or foot ulcers early, your podiatrist can treat them before complications are likely to occur.
How Often Should Diabetics See a Podiatrist?
The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends that people with diabetes schedule a comprehensive preventive foot exam at least once per year. However, you may need to visit your foot and ankle doctor more frequently if you experience or suspect a foot problem or if you have certain risk factors, such as:
- A history of diabetic foot ulcers or amputation. If you've previously developed a diabetic foot ulcer or required an amputation, you're at a higher risk for these complications occurring again in the future.
- Vision impairment that makes self-foot exams difficult. Diabetes can affect your vision, making it challenging to properly inspect your own feet for minor cuts, scrapes, or changes in color or texture.
- Severe diabetic neuropathy or peripheral artery disease. Advanced nerve damage and poor circulation can cause a loss of protective sensation and slow wound healing.
What to Expect During Your Diabetic Foot Care Exam
When you visit The Foot Institute for a diabetic foot exam, your El Paso podiatrist will carefully inspect your feet and ankles for any abnormalities. In addition to reviewing your medical history and examining your feet, they will assess your sensation level, circulation, and skin condition. They will also screen you for common foot concerns, such as bunions or hammer toes, that can increase pressure on your feet and increase your risk of developing wounds.
During your diabetic foot care exam, your podiatrist will work with you to create an individualized plan tailored to your unique needs. This plan may include routine toenail trimming, callus removal, custom orthotics, or diabetic shoes, as well as treatment for any problems that may need podiatric attention.
Your podiatrist will also share valuable tips on how to care for your feet at home between appointments. This will help you learn what you need to do to reduce the chance of experiencing foot wounds that could lead to serious complications.
Preventive Foot Care Tips for People With Diabetes
When you have diabetes, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Seemingly simple habits can make a big difference in avoiding diabetic foot complications in the long run. Important preventive measures your podiatrist may educate you about include:
- Inspecting your feet daily for any changes. Make a habit of checking your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. If you have trouble reaching or seeing your feet, ask a family member to help or use a mirror.
- Gently washing your feet and applying moisturizer to prevent dry, cracked skin. Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water and gentle soap, being careful not to soak them as this can dry out your skin. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, and apply a rich moisturizer to keep the skin supple.
- Always wearing clean, well-fitting socks and shoes. Choose moisture-wicking socks and well-fitting, supportive shoes to protect your feet from injury and prevent blisters. Avoid shoes with narrow-toe boxes or high heels that put excess pressure on your feet.
- Promoting circulation with regular exercise. Engaging in physical activity helps improve blood flow to your feet and legs. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or bike riding are excellent options.
- Avoiding going barefoot, even indoors. Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or slippers, even when you're at home. Stepping on a sharp object or exposing your feet to extreme temperatures can cause injuries that may go unnoticed due to reduced sensation.
- Promptly treating any cuts or scrapes and monitoring them for signs of infection. If you do develop a minor foot wound, clean it with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a sterile bandage.