19 Aug Living With Diabetes: Don’t Be “De-Feeted”
Over time, diabetes can cause the loss of feeling in your feet. If you’re a diabetic, your feet need special attention. You may develop serious problems with your feet that can affect how you walk. If you want to lower your chances of foot problems follow these simple tips. There are many things you can do to keep your feet healthy and live an active life.
Here’s our top 10 ways to keep your feet healthy:
1. Keep In Control: If you keep your blood glucose in your target range, you can avoid serious problems in the future. To keep on track of your eating habits, you may want to work closely with a nutritionist.
2. Don’t Go Barefoot: Wear comfortable shoes and socks at all times if you can. It’s easy to step on a pebble or stub your toe. You want to avoid cuts and scrapes at all times. Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Seamless socks fit best. Check the inside of your shoes before you put them on.
3. Protect Your Feet From Extreme Heat: If you go to the beach, wear water shoes on the sand or on the boardwalk. Your feet are more sensitive than someone without diabetes, so test out the water before you bathe or shower because you can burn easily without even realizing it.
4. Daily Ritual: Just as you set a time to brush your teeth during your daily routine, make sure you check your feet. Examine them every day for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling and infected toenails. If you have trouble bending over, use a mirror to help you see better.
5. Moisturize: Rub a thin layer of lotion or petroleum jelly over the tops and bottoms of your feet. Do not put any lotion between your toes because that could cause an infection.
6. Trim Your Toenails: Make sure you use an emery board or a nail file, and file your toenails straight without any sharp edges.
7. Wash Your Feet: Make sure to keep your feet clean, especially between your toes.
8. Get Medical Coverage: Talk to your medical provider about getting diabetic shoes.
9. Be On The Move: The more active you are the better, so get on an exercise routine and stay strong!
10. Keep It Flowing: Diabetes can lower the amount of blood flowing to your feet. Numbness and less circulation can lead to serious foot problems. When you are at work or at home, it’s important to keep your feel elevated. Remember to wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down morning, noon and night.