TORONTO CHIROPODIST DISCUSSES TOP 10 FOOT CARE TIPS FOR DIABETICS

PEOPLE WITH DIABETES HAVE AN INCREASED RISK FOR INFECTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THEIR FEET.  DECREASED CIRCULATION AND CHANGES IN THE BLOOD VESSELS IN THE EXTREMIRIES CAN CAUSE HEALING TO BE DELAYED.  COMPLICATIONS CAN BE DEVESTATING, IF CUTS OR SORES BECOME INFECTED.  IF THE BODY CAN'T FEND OFF THE INFECTION, GENGRENE CAN DEVELOP.  AMPUTATION OF THE AFFECTED LIMB IS OFTEN THE RESULT.  REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION AND COMPLICATIONS BY FOLLOWING THESE TIPS.

1. INSPECT YOUR FEET

MAKE SURE TO INSPECT YOUR FEET DAILY.  ANY SIGN OF TRAUMA SUCH AS REDNESS, BLISTERS, CUTS, CRACKS, SWELLING OR COLOUR CHANGES SHOULD BE REPORTED TO YOUR CHIROPODIST OR PODIATRIST IMMEDIATELY.  USING A MIRROR CAN HELP YOU SEE ALL AREAS OF YOUR FEET.

2. DOES THE SHOE FIT?

BE CERTAIN THAT YOUR SHOES FIT WITH ROOM TO WIGGLE YOUR TOES.  LOOK INSIDE YOUR SHOES BEFORE PUTTING THEM ON, IN CASE THERE ARE SOME FOREIGN OBJECTS HIDING IN THERE, SUCH AS GRAVEL, THAT COULD CAUSE SORES OR IRRITATION.  WEAR CLEAN WELL-FITTING SOCKS.

3. TOE THE LINE

WASH YOUR FEET EVERYDAY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU DRY THEM THOROUGHLY.  INSPECT BETWEEN YOUR TOES.

4. NAIL CARE

ALWAYS CUT NAILS STRAIGHT ACCROSS AND THEN SMOOTH THE EDGES WITH AN EMERY BOARD.  FOR EASE IN CUTTING TOENAILS, TRIM THEM AFTER YOUR BATH OR SHOWER.

5. DO NOT SELF TREAT

SEE A CHIROPODIST OR PODIATRIST FOR CORNS, CALLUSES OR INGROWN TOENAILS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELF-TREAT THESE CONDITIONS.

6. PREVENT CRACKING

IF YOUR SKIN IS DRY, APPLY CREAM OR PETROLEUM JELLY TO FEET AND HEELS, BUT AVOID THE AREAS BETWEEN YOUR TOES.  IF CREAM SITS BETWEEN THE CREVICES IT CAN WATERLOG THE SKIN AND MAKE IT MORE SUSCEPIBLE TO INFECTION.

7.  KEEP CIRCULATION FLOWING

TRY NOT TO CROSS YOUR LEGS WHEN YOU SIT DOWN.  THIS CAN LIMIT CIRCULATION.

8.  KEEPING IT MODERATE

PROTECT YOUR FEET FROM EXTREMES IN TEMPERATURE.  KEEP BATH WATER IN THE 85-90 F DEGREE RANGE (32-0-32 C).  IF NEUROPATHY IS PRESENT, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FEEL IF THE WATER IS TOO  HOT, AN BURNS MAY RESULT.   NEVER USE HEATING PADS OR HOT WATER BOTTLES.  PROTECT YOUR FEET FROM TEMPERATURES THAT ARE TOO COLD, AS WELL.  PROLONGED COLD ANS DECREASE CIRCULATION EVEN MORE.

9.  PUMP IT UP

ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT AN EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.  REGULAR EXERCISE IMPROVES CIRCULATION TO ALL YOUR EXTREMITIES.

10.  LAST BUT NOT LEAST

IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PRACTICE PREVENTATIVE CARE LIKE THE TIPS LISTED HERE, EVERY DAY.  IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT LOOK NORMAL PLEASE FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.  ALSO, FOR ULTIMATE HEALTH, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHIROPODIST OR PODIATRIST ASSESSES YOUR FEET AT EVERY ROUTINE VISIT.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY DR. HARDY AND MARZ HARDY, D.Ch., B.Sc., PODIATRIC MEDICINE, TORONTO CHIROPODIST AND TORONTO FOOT SPECIALIST AND THE TEAM FROM ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS.