Diabetic foot prevention -
Here's how to keep your feet healthy, how to know the signs that mean you need to see a health care provider and what happens if you need an amputation. The best way to prevent complications of diabetes — including foot ulcers — is to manage your diabetes.
This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar regularly and taking your medicine correctly. Taking care of your feet will help prevent problems. It can also ensure you get medical care quickly when you see problems. Proper foot care includes the following:.
Wash your feet every day. Wash your feet in lukewarm not hot water once a day. Dry them gently, especially between the toes. Use a pumice stone to gently rub the skin where calluses easily form.
Put talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes to keep the skin dry. Use a moisturizing cream or lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet to keep the skin soft. Preventing cracks in dry skin helps keep bacteria from getting in.
Buy shoes that fit correctly. Buy comfortable shoes that provide support and cushioning for the heel, arch and ball of the foot. Avoid tightfitting shoes and high heels or narrow shoes that crowd your toes. If one foot is bigger than the other, buy shoes in the larger size.
Your provider may recommend specially designed shoes orthopedic shoes. These shoes fit the exact shape of your feet, cushion your feet and make sure your weight is the same on both feet. Your provider will look at your foot to figure out what is wrong and prescribe a course of treatment.
Treatments for foot ulcers depend on the wound. Most of the time, the treatment is to remove dead tissue or debris, keep the wound clean, and help with healing. Wounds need to be checked often, at least every 1 to 4 weeks. When the ulcer causes severe loss of tissue or an infection that threatens your life, an amputation may be the only treatment.
A surgeon will remove the damaged tissue and keep as much healthy tissue as possible. After surgery, you'll stay in the hospital for a few days. It may take 4 to 6 weeks for your wound to heal completely. In addition to your provider and surgeon, other medical professionals involved in your treatment may include:.
Even after amputation, it's important to follow your diabetes treatment plan. People who've had one amputation are at higher risk of having another. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, controlling your blood sugar and not smoking can help you prevent more diabetes complications. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
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Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet. Products and services. Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet Good diabetes management and regular foot care help prevent severe foot sores that are difficult to treat and may require amputation.
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Cut nails carefully and straight across. Also, file the edges.
Don't cut them too short, since this could lead to ingrown toenails. Never trim corns or calluses. No "bathroom surgery" - let your doctor do the job. Avoid wearing the wrong type of socks. Avoid tight elastic bands, they reduce circulation. Don't wear thick or bulky socks as they can fit poorly and irritate the skin.
Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks. Never use a heating pad or hot water bottle. Shake out your shoes and inspect the inside before wearing. Remember, you may not feel a pebble--so always shake out your shoes before putting them on.
Keep your feet warm and dry. Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and shoes in winter. Never walk barefoot. Not even at home! You could step on something and get a scratch or cut. Take care of your diabetes. Poor blood circulation can affect the blood supply to your feet.
When this is reduced, cuts and sores may not heal. An early sign of poor circulation to the feet may be pain or cramps in the backs of your legs when walking.
Circulation problems can be caused by hardening or narrowing of arteries as they become clogged up. Common causes include:. All people with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist.
You may have heard it said that diabetes causes gangrene dead, black tissue. Most cases of gangrene result from delayed treatment of foot injuries. Suggestions to help prevent foot problems in people with diabetes who suffer from neuropathy or vascular disease include:.
They carry messages feelings to your brain from the rest of your body. The nerves to your feet are the most likely to be affected by diabetes. Damaged nerves neuropathy can cause painful, numb or insensitive feet. Minor cuts, blisters or burns may not be felt and ulcers can develop, which you may not be aware of.
Some people with neuropathy experience uncomfortable sensations such as burning, tingling and pain. This is often worse at night. It is important to remember that many people with nerve damage have no symptoms and are unaware of the problem.
Nevertheless, they are still at risk of developing ulcers. Podiatrists are experts in looking after feet and lower limbs. They are highly trained health professionals who deal with the prevention, diagnosis and management of foot problems.
If you have circulation problems or reduced feeling in your feet:. See your doctor if:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.
Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.
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By Ffoot Steinberg, DPM, Director, Podiatric Residency Training Program. Prevenntion you are experiencing a medical Busting common nutrition mythsplease call or seek preventioon at an Stress management techniques for anxiety room. For many people, Stress management techniques for anxiety blister or ingrown toenail would be a minor nuisance, painful for a few days, but then it would heal and disappear. But for people with diabetescommon foot problems can become serious problems. In severe cases, they can result in amputation. This is because diabetes can damage your nerves and blood vessels. Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet.
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