Diabetic Foot

Diabetic Foot Care and Treatment

Understanding the effect of diabetes on your foot is important. Most diabetics suffer from some form of foot ailment or infection. Due to unique complications associated with increased blood sugar, these foot problems can take a serious form. In extreme cases, amputation of the limbs might be the only choice available.

With proper precautions and regular diabetic foot care most of the diabetes related foot problems can be avoided or contained.

How does diabetes affect your feet?

One of the problems due to diabetes is nerve damage also known as diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy affects the peripheral nerves. These include the nerves for pain, motor neurons which control muscles and autonomous neurons which send signals to the organs. This can lead to numbness and loss of feeling in the feet. It can also lead to muscular weakness. Glucose is a reactive compound and excess levels of glucose can cause adverse reactions leading to the above negative effects.

The numbness in the feet makes it difficult to identify any infection or injury and it is essential that the feet are checked regularly. Also a regular visit to a foot specialist known as a podiatrist will help identify potential problems before they blow up. Then appropriate remedial measures and precautions can be implemented and the situation brought under control.

Another important problem is the reduction in blood circulation. This can make the treatment of any infection difficult as the antibiotics or any medication cannot reach the infected site and act effectively.

Some Important Precautions to take

Wash feet regularly with warm (not hot) water and dry them properly especially between the toes.
Check for any type of foot injury or infection including cuts, sores, blisters, corns and calluses.
File away any corns or calluses with an emery board or pumice stone after a bath.
Cut toenails regularly making sure they are soft, so usually after a bath. File the edges.
Cover your feet with proper footwear to avoid injury with socks or stockings to avoid blisters

Role of the foot doctor

The foot doctor is a person specialized only in the treatment of foot and foot related ailments. The podiatrist will do a complete foot check including the blood flow and assess the nerve damage. The podiatrist will then recommend the appropriate diabetic foot treatment based on the severity a non surgical or surgical treatment option. They will also provide advice in minor foot problems which can be serious for a diabetic such as corns, calluses, minor injuries and various infections.

About the Author

Jake Brown writes on various topics related to health, food, fitness, sports.

Episode 1 of OFFLOAD: Debridement of an Infected Diabetic Foot Wound