Introduction
Diabetes causes changes to our bodies. One of the areas most affected by such changes are your feet. If they are not looked after well, foot conditions such as blisters or cuts can lead to problems that are difficult to manage, such as foot infections. Here are three very important and simple things you can do to keep your feet problem-free.
If you have diabetes, these are the three most important things you have to do to avoid feet complications.
Visually check your feet daily!
For diabetics, it is common to have a loss of sensation in your feet from nerve damage due to diabetes. When you get a cut or a blister, you may feel less pain, or even no pain at all. This means you may be unaware of any cuts or blisters on your feet, which can lead to these injuries becoming more severe when left untreated. It is therefore extremely important to visually check and inspect your feet daily. Besides blisters and cuts, look out for hard skin, wounds, cracks and sudden changes in skin colour. Make sure you check the bottom of your feet, in between each toe, and the back of the heel. These areas are not easily seen. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth!
Wear well-fitted shoes!
A pair of well-fitted shoes will be your feet's best friend. Key features to look out for are 1) a stiff sole that does not bend easily, 2) a wide roomy toe-box that does not rub onto the sides of your feet or your toes, 3) a soft gentle upper that fits snugly around your feet, and 4) a strap across the top to hold your foot in place. If you notice red spots on your skin after wearing your shoes, it is likely that your feet are rubbing against your shoes and may cause a blister. If left uncheck, blisters can quickly become infected. Additional tip: check in the inside of your shoe every time before you put them on to ensure there are no foreign objects.
See a podiatrist if you have any hard skin on the bottom of your feet!
It is common to have hard skin, known as callus, on the bottom of your feet. Callus is usually due to pressure from walking. While it is largely harmless most of the time, it can ultimately lead to a wound if it is not attended to. If you notice that you have thick callus on the bottom of your feet, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist for management and advice. Do not try to use a sharp object to cut it off or pull it off, as this will cause further issues such as a possible infection.
Contributed by Department of Podiatry.
