Diabetic Foot Care
Unfortunately, foot problems are often a common result of having diabetes. As time goes by, it’s likely that diabetes can cause nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy. This can lead to tingling or a painful sensation, and it may also cause you to lose feeling in your feet. The loss of feeling in your feet can become incredibly dangerous, especially if you can longer sense a blister or cut on your foot; this can lead to sores or infections.
There are many ways to maintain healthy foot care when dealing with diabetes. Most importantly, you want to ensure that you’re managing your blood glucose levels, otherwise known as your blood sugar. You also want to ensure that you’re checking your feet daily. As mentioned before, it’s important to recognize if your feet have cuts, sores, blisters, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, or other troubling foot conditions to stay ahead of the issue and prevent yourself from further harm. Along with foot checks, you should also wash and dry your feet daily using lukewarm water. It may also be useful in certain cases to moisturize your feet a few times a week, especially if you’re prone to dryness. Please be advised, however, to avoid moisturizing between the toes as they will not dry properly. Another rule you may want to follow is to ensure you’re cutting your toenails straight across. You should also refrain from digging into the sides of the toes; this will help prevent the development of an ingrown toenail. If you do happen to develop a corn or callus, never treat them yourself; seek the help of a professional. It may also be beneficial to look into socks made specifically for those with diabetes to help provide yourself with extra cushion. You may also want to refrain from walking barefoot, as well as avoid smoking, as it restricts the blood flow to your feet.
In certain serious cases, you may notice a cut, blister, or bruise is not healing after a few days. If this occurs, it’s important to seek the help of a professional. Other warning signs include redness, swelling, a callus with dried blood inside of it, or an infection that causes discoloration of the foot and an odor.
If you’d like more information on how to maintain healthy feet while living with diabetes, seek the assistance of a podiatrist who can provide you with the tips needed for healthy foot care.
Corns
Corns are hardened bumps, normally found on the top or on the side of the toes. Some may also be found on the bottom of the feet. Corns are typically small and circular and have either hard or soft centers. Hard corns are generally found on the more firm areas of the foot, while soft corns are typically found in areas prone to be more moist, such as in between the toes.
You may have a corn if you notice a raised, hardened bump on your foot, skin that is dry and flaky or waxy, and feel pain or tenderness underneath the skin. There are many factors that play into why a person may develop a corn. Certain factors include wearing shoes or socks that are too tight, regularly walking barefoot or not wearing socks often, old age, or repeatedly jogging or exercising in a certain way that causes friction. Having other foot-related complications, such as hammertoe or bunions, can increase your risk of developing a corn.
To help prevent the formation of corns, it’s recommended that you wash your feet daily with soap, water, and a scrubbing brush. It’s also useful to wear shoes that leave your toes with plenty of space, as well as cutting your nails straight across and not digging into the sides. Without certain footwear or lifestyle changes, it’s likely for a corn to develop again.
If your corn is extremely painful or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, we recommend you seek professional help. Because the removal process is best done by a doctor, it’s important you seek the help of a podiatrist who can aid you in determining a treatment plan best suited for your particular case.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony, painful swelling that is often formed on the first joint of the big toe. Bunions can be extremely painful due to the weight of all your body resting on it each time you take a step. Everyday activities, such as walking and wearing shoes, can cause you extreme discomfort if you have a bunion.
Reasons that a person may develop a bunion can vary. Some patients may form bunions due to genetic factors, complications with arthritis, or a weak foot structure. General aging can also play a role in the formation of a bunion.
If you have a bunion, you may notice a bony bump on your big toe, experience swelling and redness, and the area may feel tender to the touch. To help alleviate the pain that often comes with having a bunion, it’s suggested to maintain a healthy weight to help lessen the pressure on your toe, practice both heating and icing the affected area, wear wide-fitting shoes wear to leave plenty of space for your toes and to minimize rubbing, and look into shoe inserts that can help position your foot correctly.
Because bunions can result in other painful foot problems, such as hammertoes and bursitis, we recommend that you meet with a podiatrist for a professional diagnosis and for information regarding all your treatment options.
Athletes Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that’s highly contagious and can be spread through direct skin to skin contact as well as indirect contact. Athlete’s foot can be spread directly when an uninfected person touches the infected area of someone who has athlete’s foot. The condition can be spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces, clothing, socks, shoes, bed sheets, and towels.
Areas that are known to be damp, warm, or humid are commonly known to be more susceptible to carrying the fungal infection. With that being said, you should use caution around swimming pools and communal showers to avoid picking up athlete’s foot. If you know you have a weaker immune system, you should also be sure to use caution around these types of environments.
Those who are affected by athlete’s foot may experience symptoms such as cracking, dryness, flakiness, itchiness, redness, or scaliness of the skin of the foot or in between the toes. Oozing, crusting, swelling, and the formation of blisters are other symptoms that may arise due to athlete’s foot.
If athlete’s foot goes untreated, there is a high risk that it may spread from toe to toe. With this in mind, it’s highly recommended that you meet with a podiatrist for a professional diagnosis. Your podiatrist can give you information about treatment options that best suit your case.
