Managing diabetes goes beyond blood sugar control — it’s about protecting your entire body from your eyes down to your toes. You read that right: diabetes even affects your feet! Diabetes increases your risk for foot problems like infections, ulcers, and nerve damage (neuropathy).
The good part is that there are many strategies you can implement to keep your feet healthy. Read on as Aamir Mahmood, DPM, Joseph Wilson, DPM, FACFAS, and the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic share three of them.
High blood glucose doesn’t just harm your blood vessels; it can also hurt the nerves in your feet. When your nerves are damaged, it’s called neuropathy, and you might notice tingling, burning sensations, or even numbness.
Because nerve damage can make it hard to feel injuries, you might not notice injuries at first. This means that even the smallest issue can turn into a big one if you don’t attend to it right away.
The solution? Make it a habit to check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, swelling, or redness.
Diabetes can contribute to poor circulation in your feet, and poor circulation leads to slow-healing wounds. The combination of nerve damage, not feeling injuries at first, and slow-healing wounds can spell disaster for your feet (e.g., gangrene, infections, or even amputation).
About 80% of non-traumatic amputations are related to diabetes, but if you inspect your feet daily, you can spot potential issues before they snowball into bigger ones.
If you have diabetes, you can’t afford to wear ill-fitting shoes. One pair of too-tight or unsupportive shoes can leave you with blisters, foot pain, and an increased risk of ulcers.
Swap out any worn-out pair of shoes for supportive, well-fitted ones. The right pair of shoes can help prevent pressure points, blisters, and wounds.
Diabetic shoes (and socks!) are specially designed to minimize friction and provide extra cushioning.
Instead of going barefoot at home, wear shoes (or at least a designated pair of “house shoes”) to prevent injuries.
Wearing the right shoes is just part of the equation. Orthotics, especially the softer accommodative orthotics, can help redistribute your weight, take the pressure off sore spots, and help prevent friction from causing hot spots.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop a fungal infection and to make it worse, diabetes makes it harder to control fungal diseases. Good foot hygiene won’t eliminate all problems, but it goes a long way in reducing your risk of foot infections, including both fungal infections and bacterial infections from cuts.
To keep your feet clean, wash them daily with warm water (not hot) and mild soap, and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.
Moisturize your heels to avoid dry, cracked skin. This can help prevent small dry cracks from developing into bigger sores. Don’t put lotion between your toes, though. This can make a moist environment for fungal infections to fester.
When cutting your nails, trim them straight across instead of curving them. This simple tip can help prevent ingrown nails.
If your feet sweat, change out of damp socks immediately. Keep an extra pair in your gym bag or even at your desk at work.
Routine foot exams with the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic team can help catch problems early, even before you notice symptoms. Dr. Mahmood or Dr. Wilson can check for circulation issues, nerve damage, and other diabetic complications.
Our comprehensive foot care — available in our Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, or Lombard, Illinois, locations — includes:
You don’t need to wait until your annual exam to see us. If you spot any issues, such as blisters, foot pain, or numbness in your feet, give us a call. Call the location closest to you or simply request an appointment online.
