What care does the diabetic foot require?
People with diabetes have a much higher risk of foot ulcers that can become complicated and even result in amputation. Something that can be avoided by controlling the disease and giving special care to the feet.
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Not paying attention to our feet can lead to health problems, but in the case of a diabetic person this can lead to something much more serious.
According to data from the Official College of Podiatrists of the Community of Madrid (COPOMA) up to 34% of people with diabetes can develop foot ulcers.
But not only that: the rate of amputation per diabetic foot is 52 per 100,000 inhabitants, well above countries such as France, Italy or the United Kingdom. Something that, according to Dr. Pedro Villalta, president of the Official College of Podiatry of the Community of Madrid (COPOMA), could be avoided in most cases with the intervention of a podiatrist on time.
What is the diabetic foot
This disorder is a consequence of diabetes when it is not well controlled , and even if it is well controlled there may be some degree of incidence. And is that high blood glucose levels cause:
- An involvement of the nerves of the legs and feet (neuropathy), so that the person loses sensitivity in this area.
- A decrease in the blood supply to the legs and feet (vasculopathy).
- People with diabetes should take special care of their feet
Both situations ( lack of sensitivity and poor circulation ) can cause what starts with a simple wound in the foot to end up turning into an ulcer with dire consequences.
This happens because, as Dr. Villalta assures, the patient "usually overlooks that little foot wound because he does not notice any pain nor does he have a habit of checking his feet. Small wound in a patient with diabetes is much more serious than in a healthy person because, by failing the circulation, it heals much worse, which increases the risk of infection and have to amputate the finger.
How to take care of diabetic foot
Dr. Villalta assures that the consequences of diabetic foot could be avoided . First of all having the disease under control with the proper medication, as well as diet and exercise. And on the other hand it is very important to be very careful with your feet. Therefore, if you have diabetes:
- Check your feet every day and look for any signs of a small scratch, wound, redness, changing the color of the nails ... Look closely between the toes, the nails, the heel ... To observe the sole of the feet Help yourself with a mirror. At the slightest sign of injury, go to the podiatrist to make the appropriate cure.
- Wash them daily with warm water. Whether it is very cold or very hot, it attacks the lipid barrier of the skin. Do not have your feet more than 5 minutes soak and avoid using gloves of horsehair or pumice. And it dries the feet very well, especially between the fingers, so that there are no wet areas.
The diabetic person has to check their feet daily
- Hydrate the feet two or three times a day with a specific cream. Do not leave any corner without hydrating: the plant, between the fingers ... If the skin is dry it has a greater tendency to suffer cracks that are a gateway to germs and, consequently, infections.
- Use socks from natural fabrics without seams and change them daily. Unsuitable socks can also cause minor injuries or hinder circulation, especially if they squeeze the ankles.
- The shoes must be of good quality: leather, without internal seams, lightweight and breathable. It is very important that it adapts very well to the foot and that it does not tighten. One tip is to buy it at the end of the day as the foot is more swollen, so you will not find surprises.
- Avoid sandals, high heels or narrow tips as they can cause chafing. The choice of footwear is essential because it is one of the factors that most influences the appearance of possible injuries.
At the smallest foot injury you should go to the podiatrist
- Check the inside of the shoes daily with your hand. There may be some pebbles or anything else that, having little sensation in the foot, may go unnoticed and cause an injury.
- Cut the toenails straight to avoid nailing the sides.
- Avoid walking barefoot, both at home and on the beach. The diabetic person must especially protect their feet since they have very little sensitivity in them.
And remember, even if you do not have any injuries and control the disease, you should go every 6 months to the podiatrist for an in-depth review.
With proper care the diabetic foot does not have to give problems, but without them the risks are very high. In fact, Dr. Villalta says that podiatry should be included in Social Security as part of the treatment needed by the diabetic patient in Primary Care. This is a demand from COPOMA and many other schools of podiatrists.