Sounds scary, but it’s just common sense. Diabetes may cause nerve damage in the smallest nerves of your feet; therefore, a small cut will not be noticed until a large infection takes effect. In some patients, blood flow may also be decreased and make healing take longer. Because of these potential problems, a diabetic may not be aware of a stone or splinter in their shoe and develop a blister or puncture. This can cause a serious foot problem.
To help you avoid any dramatic foot infections, you should follow some basic rules we tell our patients at Roxbury Foot & Ankle Center (Morris County NJ’s Premier Podiatrist Group):
- Check your feet daily for cuts, discoloration, hot areas and blisters. If your eyesight is not good have someone else look for you.
- Wear clean dry socks. Make sure they don’t cut into your skin if your ankles swell.
- If you develop corns or calluses, don’t try to trim these yourself or use corn plasters to remove them.
- Cut your nails straight across then file the edges.
- Keep your feet moisturized. Dry skin may crack and allow bacteria in and cause an infection.
- When washing your feet, use room temperature water and soak. Don’t scrub so hard that you cause problems. Be gentile when drying between your toes so you don’t tear the skin between your toes.
- If your feet are cold at night, use an extra blanket not a heating pad.
- Check the inside of your shoes for debris or worn out areas that may cause abrasions.
- Don’t smoke.
- Keep your sugar levels in the normal range.
- Have your feet examined at least once a year by a foot specialist.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, call us today to schedule an appointment with the one of the best podiatrist groups in NJ.
