Diabetic Foot Care

Chronic high level of blood glucose damages your nerve and reduces blood flow in your feet. The nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet. As a result your body doesn’t know you have a cut, blister, or ulcer on your foot. These open wound will be very difficult to heal and very easy to get infections. Having an infection and poor blood flow can lead to further damage to the muscle, skin and other tissues in your feet. You may need an amputation. So it’s very important to take care of your foot if you are a diabetic patient.

Symptoms of Diabetic Foot：

Tingling, burning, or pain in your feet
Loss of sense of touch or ability to feel heat or cold very well
Hair loss on your legs and feet
Wounds or sores that don’t heal
Changes in the color and shape of your feet

Tips for Diabetic Foot Care：

Take care of your diabetes：Follow your doctor’s advice to keep your blood sugar level within the normal range.
Wash your feet in warm water every day and dry your feet well, especially between toes. Don’t soak your feet.
Check your feet everyday for sores, blisters, calluses, or any other problems.
If the skin on your feet is dry, keep it moist by applying lotions after you wash ans dry your feet. Don’t put lotion between your toes.
Check your toenails once a week.
Always wear closed-toed shoes or slippers and don’t walk barefoot.
Always wear socks that fit your feet well and have soft elastic.
Wear socks during sleeping if your feet is cold.
Always check the inside of shoes to make sure that no objects are left inside.
Protect your feet from heat and cold. Wear shoes at beach or on hot pavement.
If you smoke, stop it.
Make sure your doctor checks your feet regularly.

FAQ

What is a diabetic foot ulcer?

This is a serious complication caused by a combination of poor blood circulation, susceptibility to infection and nerve damage from high blood sugar levels. About 15% of diabetic patients develop foot ulcer and about 20% of diabetic patients with foot ulcers need amputation eventually.

Who can get a diabetic foot ulcer？

Anyone who has diabetes can develop a foot ulcer. Being overweight, using alcohol and tobacco and using insulin regularly also play a big role in the development of foot ulcers.

How do diabetic foot ulcers form？

Foot ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor blood circulation, foot deformities, irritation, and trauma, as well as duration of diabetes.

What is the goal of treating a diabetic foot ulcer？

Once an ulcer is noticed, please seek medical care immediately. Early treatment can reduce the risk of infection and amputation.

How to treatment a diabetic foot ulcer？

The primary goal is to obtain healing as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. The following are several key factors to consider: (1) off-loading the area with ulcers; (2) removing dead skins and tissues; (3) applying medications to the ulcer; (4) managing blood glucose and other health problems.

How long a diabetic foot ulcer will heal？

About few weeks to few months. The size and location of the foot ulcer as well as the pressure applied to the ulcer when walking or standing will affect the healing time. In addition, blood circulation and blood sugar level play a big role too.

Foot orthotics for diabetic patient