The best strategy to prevent complications of diabetes, such as foot ulcers, is to properly control diabetes with a healthy diet, regular exercise, blood sugar control and compliance with the prescribed medication regimen.
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Proper foot care will help prevent problems with the feet and will guarantee immediate medical attention when a problem arises. The tips for proper foot care include the following:
Check your feet daily. Check your feet once a day for blisters, cuts, cracks, sores, redness, tenderness or swelling. If you have trouble reaching your feet, use a hand mirror to look at the soles of your feet. If you find it uncomfortable to hold the mirror, place it on the floor or ask someone else for help.
Wash your feet every day. Wash your feet daily with warm water (not hot). Dry them gently, especially between your fingers. Use a pumice stone to gently rub the skin of the area where calluses are usually formed.
Sprinkle talcum or corn starch between the toes to keep the skin dry. Use a lotion or moisturizer on the back and sole of the feet to keep the skin soft. Prevent cracking of dry skin helps prevent the entry of bacteria.
Do not eliminate calluses or other lesions of the feet yourself. To avoid injuring the skin, do not use nail files, clippers or nail scissors on calluses, corns, bunions, or warts. Do not use chemicals to eliminate warts. Consult your doctor or foot specialist (podiatrist) to eliminate any of these injuries.
Cut your nails carefully. Cut your nails straight. File the sharp edges carefully, using a nail file. If you can not cut your nails yourself, ask a caregiver for help.
Do not walk barefoot. To prevent foot injuries, do not walk barefoot, even inside the house.
Use dry and clean socks. Use socks made of fibers that keep perspiration away from the skin, like special acrylic fibers and cotton, not nylon. Avoid socks with tight elastic that reduce circulation, or socks with seams that can irritate the skin.
Buy shoes that fit well. Buy comfortable shoes that provide support and cushion the heel, arch and foot pad (metatarsal region). Avoid tight shoes and high heels or narrow shoes that squeeze the toes.
- If one foot is larger than the other, choose the right size for the largest foot. The doctor can recommend specially designed shoes (orthopedic shoes) that adjust to the exact shape of your feet, cushion and distribute the weight of the body evenly.
- Do not smoke. Cigarette smoking worsens circulation and decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood. These circulatory problems can make the wounds more serious and the scarring is poor. Talk to your doctor if you need help to stop smoking.
- Program periodic checks of the feet. The doctor or podiatrist can inspect the feet for early signs of nerve injury, circulation problems or other foot problems. Program controls the feet at least once a year, or more often, as recommended by the doctor.
Signs of problems
Contact your doctor if you have the following:
- Ingrown toenails
- Blisters
- Plantar warts (skin-colored bumps with dark spots appearing on the soles of the feet)
- Athlete's foot
- An open sore or bleeding
- Swelling
- Redness
- Heat in an area
- Pain (although you probably do not feel anything if you have a nerve injury)
- Discoloration of the skin
- An unpleasant smell
- An ulcer that lasts more than one or two weeks
- An ulcer more than 3/4 of an inch (2 centimeters)
- A pain that does not improve quickly
- An ulcer so deep that you can see the bone below
The doctor will check your foot to make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.