Taking care of your feet is important for everyone, but it becomes especially important when you have diabetes.
Diabetes can affect circulation and nerve function in the feet, which means a small cut, blister, or sore may be harder to notice or slower to heal. Making diabetic foot care part of your regular routine can help identify problems early and prevent more serious complications.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Over time, diabetes can damage nerves, leading to a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. This may cause numbness, tingling, burning, or reduced sensation in the feet.
When sensation is reduced, you may not immediately notice an injury. Diabetes can also affect circulation, making it more difficult for some wounds to heal.
Together, these issues can turn seemingly minor foot problems into more serious concerns.
Why Are Daily Foot Checks Important?
If you have diabetes, it’s a good idea to look at your feet every day.
Check for:
- Cuts or scrapes
- Blisters
- Redness
- Swelling
- Cracked skin
- Changes in skin color
- Ingrown toenails
- Sores or wounds
Don’t forget to look between your toes and at the bottoms of your feet. If that’s difficult, using a mirror or asking someone to help can make daily checks easier.
How Can I Take Care of My Feet With Diabetes?
Good diabetic foot care starts with a few simple habits.
Wash and carefully dry your feet every day, wear clean socks, and choose properly fitting shoes that don’t rub or create pressure points. Moisturizing dry skin can also help prevent cracking, but avoid applying lotion between the toes.
Avoid walking barefoot, even around the house, because a small cut or puncture may go unnoticed.
Toenails should generally be trimmed straight across. If you have difficulty reaching your feet or have reduced sensation, talk with your podiatrist before attempting to treat nails, corns, or calluses yourself.
When Should Someone With Diabetes See a Podiatrist?
Don’t wait for a foot problem to become painful before seeking care. Reduced sensation means some injuries may not hurt even when they require treatment.
Contact a healthcare provider if you notice a wound, blister, redness, swelling, drainage, skin color changes, or another unusual change in your feet.
Regular podiatric exams can also help identify potential problems before they become more serious.
Can Diabetic Foot Problems Be Prevented?
While not every problem can be prevented, consistent foot care can significantly reduce your risk of complications.
Managing your diabetes as directed by your healthcare team, checking your feet daily, wearing appropriate footwear, and scheduling regular foot exams are all important parts of prevention.
Diabetic Foot Care in Eugene
Preventative care can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your feet.
At Eugene Foot & Ankle, we provide diabetic foot care focused on identifying problems early, protecting foot health, and helping patients remain active and independent.
If you have diabetes and have noticed changes in your feet, or it’s simply time for a foot exam, schedule an appointment with our team.
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