Why is foot care important in diabetes?
When you have diabetes, your feet need a little more care. Diabetes can damage the nerve endings and blood vessels in your feet and make it more difficult for your body to fight infection. So it’s important to keep your feet healthy and injury-free, so you don’t develop ulcers on your feet that can lead to serious infections. There are a number of ways you can give your feet some extra tender loving care.
How do diabetics take care of their feet?
- Check those feet: It’s important to look for sores, cuts, or blisters on your feet every day. If you find any of these, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water and apply a topical antiseptic. You might also want to put a piece of moleskin or gauze over the sore to protect it from further injury.
- Put on cotton socks and shoes: For sore feet, put on socks that are thin and absorbent, cotton socks. They will keep the foot dry and help keep the skin from rubbing against itself.
- If you have very dry feet, consider using a moisturizer or lotion to keep your skin soft. You can also try thicker, synthetic socks like those made by Tencel. They have moisture-trapping properties so your feet don’t feel as though they are sticking to them.
Your feet can also get injured from wearing shoes that are not the right size or that aren’t made well. You might end up with a painful sore on your foot from doing something like running in heels that aren’t the right height. Instead, ask your doctor or podiatrist if you are having pain while walking. It may be possible to measure your heel height and recommend a comfortable shoe size for you.
When you have diabetes you need to take care of your feet every day. Here’s a full guide on how you can get started caring properly for your feet