If you have diabetes, you have a 30-time higher risk of lower limb amputation than someone without diabetes. In fact, diabetes is a factor in 82% of lower-limb amputations performed in the United States.
The most important way to avoid joining these gruesome statistics is to control your blood glucose levels with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and — if prescribed — diabetes medications. However, you must also be proactive about your foot health.
At Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group, our expert podiatrist, Nathaniel Alabi, DPM, offers regular diabetic foot care. He examines and treats any foot issues at our Houston, Texas-area offices.
What should you do to keep your feet and keep them healthy? Follow our do this, not that guide, starting today.
When you have diabetes, the nerves in your feet may be damaged by high blood glucose levels. That makes it difficult to register sensations, including pain.
In fact, in extreme circumstances, you could step on a nail and not even feel it. That’s why you must take a good look at your feet every day to see if there’s a cut, blister, or puncture that needs your — or your podiatrist’s — attention.
If you can’t examine your own feet easily, try using a mirror. If it’s still difficult, enlist the help of a friend or family member.
Be on the alert for any lesion or wound that doesn’t heal. Nonhealing wounds can become ulcers, get infected, and lead to gangrene and amputation. Come to see us if you notice a wound that doesn’t heal within four weeks or which keeps coming back.
Make sure your feet are clean, which will reduce the risk for infection if you do cut or injure your foot. Wash your feet with gentle soap and warm (not hot) water. Be sure to clean between your toes, too.
Don’t neglect drying thoroughly! If you leave your feet or toes damp, you’re more likely to develop a fungal infection. Dust them with foot powder or cornstarch to soak up residual moisture.
You can moisturize the soles and tops of your feet. However, don’t put lotion or cream between your toes, because the moisture increases the risk for infection.
Keep your toes short, but cut them correctly. Use clippers that are specifically designed for toenails: These feature a straight cutting edge.
Don’t use fingernail clippers, which have a curved cutting edge, to trim your toenails. The curved edge increases your risk of a hangnail, which could become infected.
If you love high heels or pointy toes, it’s time to expand your sense of shoe aesthetics. High heels put pressure on the balls of your feet, increasing the risk for corns and calluses. Pointy toes squeeze your toes and also increase the risk for corns, calluses, bunions, and other foot problems.
Look for well-designed shoes that feature roomy toe boxes and don’t have heels. You may also need customized orthotic inserts to keep your feet in healthy alignment.
If you see corns, calluses, or other lesions on your feet, leave them to us. When you try to remove corns and calluses yourself, you risk damaging your feet and leaving them open to infection.
Instead, make your diabetic foot care appointment a regular occurrence. If you can’t easily examine your own feet, we’ll do it for you. We also treat any possible problems as soon as we find them. That way we can reduce your risk of complications and discomfort.
If you have diabetes, be sure to schedule your regular diabetic foot care appointments today by phoning us at the office nearest you or booking an appointment online
We service Greater Heights, Pearland Market, League City, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Rosharen, Alvin, Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Friendswood, South Houston, Kingwood Market, Humble, New Chaney, Atasciacita, and Northeast Houston, Texas.
