One of the issues to be considered in diabetes is the feet. One of the frequently asked questions about diabetes is foot care. How to care for feet in diabetes, why? What should be considered in foot care in diabetes, which causes important issues although it slows down the blood flow in the feet. Dr. Alper Çelik shared valuable information. Here are 18 ways to protect feet from diabetes!
A SMALL FOOT CUT IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Diabetes can be dangerous for your feet, where even a small cut can have very serious consequences. Diabetes can cause border damage that makes your feet numb and can also slow blood flow to the feet, making it difficult for wounds to heal or reducing infection resistance. Because of all these problems, you may not notice a foreign object in your shoe. As a result, your foot will swell or become sore. This can lead to infection or nonhealing wounds, which can go as far as amputation of a limb.
WEAR SOCKS WHEN SLEEPING
If your feet are cold at night, wear socks. Never use a heating pad or hot water bottle. These types of artifacts may cause you to burn your feet unknowingly due to the numbness caused by your diabetes.
KEEP YOUR DIABETES UNDER CONTROL
Work with your health care team to keep blood glucose levels within your target range. Keeping your diabetes under control and constant attention is the most important rule of solving many problems.
CHECK YOUR FEET EVERY DAY
Set aside a specific time each day for foot inspection. Inspect your bare feet daily for red spots, cuts, swelling, cracks, injuries, redness, or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror or ask someone for help to see the soles of the feet. Contact your doctor if anything catches your attention.
WASH YOUR FEET EVERY DAY WITH WARM WATER
Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. Wash your feet with the warm water in which newborn babies are bathed. Do not wash your feet with hot water. While drying, make sure that the middle of the toes does not remain damp. Long-term moisture remaining in the middle of the finger triggers the formation of fungus in these parts.
Gently WASH YOUR FEET
Use a soft soap cloth or sponge. Dry carefully by gently wiping the middle of the toes with gentle movements.
DO NOT MOISTURE THE MIDDLE OF THE FINGERS
Keep the foot skin soft and smooth. Apply foot skin moisturizing cream to avoid cracks or cracks caused by dry skin. But don’t moisten the middle of your toes to avoid a fungal infection. Rub the top and bottom of your feet with a thick layer of skin lotion, do not apply this lotion to the middle of the toes.
CUT TOE NAILS CAREFULLY
Cut nails straight and file the edges. Do not cut nails too short. This causes the toenails to grow under the skin without mistake. Consult your doctor if you have problems with your nails.
DO NOT TRY TO TREAT CALLS ON YOURSELF
Do not use anything like bath surgery or calluses. Consult your doctor for necessary treatment. Since calluses are common, they are perceived as worthless, but it is also valuable for your health to carry out callus treatment with your doctor.
ALWAYS WEAR SOCKS AND SHOES
Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit and protect your feet. Check the inside of your shoes before you put them on. Make sure the sole of the shoe is flat and has nothing in it. Wear clean and dry socks: Change your socks every day.
SHAKE YOUR SHOES AND INSPECT THE INSIDE BEFORE WEARING
Remember, your foot may not be able to sense a stone or foreign object inside, so always inspect the inside of your shoes before putting them on.
CONSIDER BUYING SPECIALLY MADE SOCKS FOR DIABETES
These socks are extra soft, no rubber, over the ankle and made of fibers that wick moisture away from the skin. You can use these style socks in order to provide the appropriate conditions for your foot health. However, make sure that these socks are approved by authorized institutions and that they are products produced for diabetics.
KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY
Do not let your feet get wet in the rain or snow. In winter, wear warm socks and waterproof and cold-proof shoes.
PROTECT YOUR FEET FROM HEAT AND COLD
Wear shoes on the beach and on hot roads. Do not immerse your feet in hot water. Check that the water temperature is at baby bath lukewarm. Never use a hot water bottle, heating pad, or electric blanket.
THINK ABOUT USING ANTI-PERPEAT ON SOLE
Prof.Dr. Dr. Alper Çelik, By saying that if your feet sweat a lot, this might be a suitable test
NEVER WALK BAREFOOT
Even at home! Always wear shoes or slippers. You could step on something and injure your foot.
DO NOT THROW THE LEG ON THE LEG
Elevate your feet while sitting. Move your toes and move your ankles upside down for 5 minutes 2 or 3 times a day. Do not cross your legs for a long time.
DO NOT SMOKE
Smoking terminates blood flow to your feet and causes atherosclerosis. The harms of smoking are absolute not only for diabetics but for all human beings and should not be used.
GET A SYSTEM FOOT EXAMINATION
Visiting a foot and ankle surgeon regularly will help prevent diabetes-related complications from developing.
