Foot Care Tips for Diabetics

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month in the United States, and that means it’s a good time to discuss skin care for diabetics. It’s estimated that there are more than 20 million Americans with diabetes. People with diabetes are ten times more likely to have a lower limb amputated compared to people who don’t have this illness.

The main reason for this is that diabetes leads to poor circulation and nerve damage in the body, especially when the diabetes is poorly controlled. This can lead to skin damage as well, including ulcers, infections, and deformities.

Any of these conditions are, at the very least, disfiguring, and may also be very painful.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers these foot care tips for diabetics:

• Monitor feet daily for injuries which might lead to ulcers.
• Wash feet gently in lukewarm water. Avoid hot water.
• Moisturize the foot and heel, but avoid the area between the toes.
• Do not trim calluses or corns. Trimming these can lead to serious infection.
• Look inside your shoes before you put them on.
• Run your hand around the inside of your shoes before putting them on. Make sure there are no nails or sharp objects sticking up through the footbed.
• If you do have any kind of foot trouble, see a doctor right away.

Early treatment is key to prevent conditions from worsening and to reduce the risk of amputation.

If someone you know is a diabetic, please share these tips with him or her. They could prevent serious injury down the road.