Diabetic Foot

Diabetes is a serious illness and in fact is a silent killer. If not taken care of it can cause many serious complications to different parts of our body like- eyes, kidneys, legs and feet. A person with diabetes should take care of these parts, especially their feet.

Diabetes causes low blood circulation, especially to the lower parts of legs and feet. This makes healing of an injury very difficult. If unattended it can lead to ulcers, infection and other serious foot conditions.

Consult your doctor in case you feel any numbness in your feet, change in the shape of feet, infection or sores which are not healing. Try to take necessary precautions and keep your feet healthy.

To avoid serious complications most important is to control your diabetes. Make a plan with your doctor to keep your sugar levels close to normal. Try to keep the blood flowing to your feet; don’t wear anything which is restrictive. Sitting crossed legs for long hours is also not good, try to put your feet up and wriggle your toes while sitting. Moreover, keep your feet clean and skin soft and smooth.

For this matter, wash your feet with warm water but avoid using very hot water or keeping them too long in water, this can cause dryness. Moreover, after cleaning them pat them dry. Make sure that you dry them between your toes. To keep the skin soft and smooth use a good body lotion but do not use it between fingers as it can cause fungal infection. You can use talcum powder there.

You need to check your feet everyday. In case of a cut, blister, infection or swelling which is not healing should be given medical attention. Another thing which is to be taken care of is to protect your feet from hot and cold. Never walk on hot pavements barefoot or use radiators, hot water bottles directly on your feet. In case of cold always wear socks and shoes to keep them warm and avoid frost bites.