ULCERAS APPEAR IN 15% OF DIABETICS !!
Ulceras.net encourages you that if you are diabetic, you go regularly to your Nurse in the health center or to your Family Doctor, Endocrine or Podiatrist so that at least once a year they check your feet to detect any problem in a way preventive before it's too late.
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Here we recommend a series of simple measures in relation to foot care:
As a result of poor control of diabetes, there is a decrease in the blood supply of the legs (vasculopathy) and an involvement of the nerves of the legs and feet (neuropathy), this is what we call diabetic foot.
When we are facing a decompensated diabetes with long evolution, the chances of lesions on the feet increase.
HYGIENE AND CARE OF THE FEET IN THE DIABETIC PATIENT
The care of the feet is very important and more so in the diabetic patient, because due to the decrease in sensitivity, with or without the coexistence of blood flow deficit, injury or ulceration can occur.
The prevention of ulcers or infections in the foot of the diabetic will depend on the degree of knowledge that the patient has in terms of hygiene, hydration or footwear.
Do not forget, it's up to you.
Follow the following instructions:
"You should observe your feet every day, looking for any small scratches, wounds or redness." Six places on the sole of the foot should be controlled: the tip of the big toe, the base of the small fingers, the base of the middle fingers, also the heel and the outside of the foot and the plant ".
HYGIENE
It is necessary to wash the foot daily with mitten, soft sponge or hand and warm water (less than 37º). Do not prolong the bath beyond 5 minutes so as not to cause the skin to macerate. Use neutral soap adding paraffin oil to the water to make it more emollient.
DRYING
To dry the feet it is better to do it by contact, avoiding friction as much as possible and paying special attention to the interdigital areas. If the foot does not dry well, the growth of pathogenic microorganisms is usually favored.
Hydration of diabetic feet
HYDRATION
After daily hygiene apply moisturizer on the heel plant and back of both feet to prevent dryness. For this use 15% urea creams. Hydrating the interdigital spaces or doing massages with alcohol or cologne is counterproductive.
THE ONES
The nails have a protective function, therefore, they should protrude 1 or 2 mm in front of the finger and in this sense, the nail cut should be straight and not curved like in the hands, the nails should be cut with round tip scissors or file with a cardboard file never metallic.
CALLICIDES
Do not use callicides or pumice stones, or manipulate calluses or other lesions on your feet, if you detect any abnormality, consult with your healthcare team.
FOOTWEAR
Knowing how to choose footwear is very important.
shoes for diabetics
How to make shoes for diabetics
Shoe characteristics
- Leather and non-slip sole
- With laces or velcro
- Wide heel and not too high (2-3 cm in men and 5 cm in women)
- Seamless inside
- Adjustable thermos
- Lycra shovel (in case of alteration in the fingers)
- Soles and heels must not be worn
- They should not squeeze or be too baggy because they produce chafing
- When buying new shoes it is convenient to go to the last hour of the day because it is when the foot is more bloated
- Do not always wear the same footwear
- The adaptation to new shoes must be progressive.
Check the inside of the shoe every day with your hand in search of anything that, however small (pebble, ...), passes unnoticed and can cause an injury or chafing.
PROTECTION
Avoid walking barefoot on any surface or floor. The foot should always be (at home, on the beach, in the pool etc.) well protected, to prevent unnecessary injuries.
Regarding the dress of the feet, never use synthetic socks and thick seams, or garters or belts that compress and compromise the circulation is most appropriate to use socks made of natural fibers (cotton, yarn or wool) and light tones for detection precocious wound
Do not use electric pads, hot water bottles or any other source of heat to warm your feet. You may burn without realizing it due to altered sensitivity.
TOBACCO
tobacco diabetic foot ulcers
The tobacco narrows the arteries and does not favor an adequate supply of oxygen to your feet. Go periodically to your doctor to ensure good control of your diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, etc.). It is advisable to exercise daily in the form of walks on flat terrain and at a good pace for at least one hour.