Welcome to my blog! My name is Geoff. I have always been a sporty kind of chap. I love to go long distance running and I also play football and rugby. One day after a long run, I had a terrible pain in my foot. I thought I had just been overdoing it a little bit, so I decided to rest up. A week later, it was no better. I was still in a lot of pain and had to drop out of a couple of football matches. My doctor sent me to see a podiatrist who examined my foot and explained I had damaged a ligament. The podiatrist helped me to get back to full health. I decided to start this blog to explain the importance of good foot care.
Diabetes is an illness that is becoming more common, thanks to people living longer, carrying more weight, and doing less exercise. Diabetes affects circulation and the nerves in the feet, which can make it more likely that sufferers will develop ulcers on their feet. In some cases, the complications of diabetes can even lead to a foot needing to be amputated. Here are some foot care tips you can follow to reduce your risk of developing a serious foot problem when you have diabetes.
1. Inspect Your Feet
Diabetes can reduce the sensitivity in your feet, which means that you might not notice if you have a cut, splinter, crack, or another foot wound that requires medical attention. As diabetes also affects healing, you cannot afford to neglect small wounds on your feet. Get into the habit of performing a daily foot inspection to check the soles of your feet for any problems.
Many people are not flexible enough to look at the soles of their own feet. It can be helpful to use a mirror or ask another person to help you with your daily foot inspection.
2. Moisturise Your Feet
Lotion is a diabetic's best friend when it comes to foot care. It helps to prevent your feet from drying out and cracking in dry or cold weather. After a shower or bath, thoroughly dry your feet and then cover them in lotion to keep the skin supple and soft.
3. Find a Good Podiatrist
All diabetics need to have the number of a good podiatrist close at hand. Diabetic podiatry care helps you to keep your feet in good condition through regular checks and treatments.
4. Wear Well-Fitting Shoes
Shoes with narrow, pointed toe boxes and high heels are not good for anyone's feet, but they can be a particularly dangerous choice for diabetics. Poorly fitting shoes create pressure points on the feet, leading to rubbing, blisters and bleeding — all of which are very dangerous for diabetics who need to take care to avoid damaging the skin on their feet. Visit a shoe store where the staff are willing to take the time to help you find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly.
5. Wear Foot Protection
Walking barefoot can be helpful for strengthening the muscles in the feet, but it can be dangerous for diabetics. Only spend time barefoot at home and in environments where you are sure there is nothing present that could cut your feet. On beaches and in parks in summer, keep your shoes on or wear sandals to protect the sole of the foot from puncture wounds.
For additional tips, reach out to a local diabetic podiatry care clinic.
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