People suffering from diabetes have a high risk of developing foot
problems and diabetic infections in the feet and legs. Diabetes can
cause damage to the nervous system of these patients, thereby making
them go numb in the feet. So, such people are unable to feel any
sensation in their feet even when they develop sores or infection,
leading to a delayed treatment. Many cases even end up with serious
gangrene or amputation. That’s why foot care should be an important part
of life for a diabetic.
The foot is the part of the body most prone to injuries. As diabetics
experience numbness in their extremities, they may have a foot injury
and not realize it. Even something as simple as an ingrown toenail could
get infected and cause a big problem for a diabetic. Doctors counsel
diabetics to take care of their sugar levels to make sure that they do
not reach a stage where they advance to neuropathic symptoms.
Reasons that may cause foot problems in diabetics
There are various reasons why a diabetic could get a foot problem
like a foot ulcer or other foot infections. Diabetic neuropathy is one
reason where there is damage to the nerves supplying the blood to the
feet. Peripheral vascular disease causes decreased blood flow to the
feet also resulting in numbness. A person who has been diabetic for ten
or more years has more chance of foot problems. Smoking, alcohol and a
bad diet could all trigger foot problems in a diabetic. If the diabetic
is not managing their blood sugar levels, it could give rise to foot
infections. Continuous trauma to the feet in the form of corns and
calluses is not good for diabetics. If the diabetic already has a
genetic predisposition towards foot problems or has foot bones that are
deformed or suffers from bunions, they are at a risk for foot ulcers and
infections. Thick or ingrown toenails can cause foot infections.
How to take care of your feet if you are diabetic
A wound takes a long time to heal in a diabetic. So a diabetic should
take extra care when walking or running. Wearing shoes or covered
footwear can lessen the chances of getting injured. But it also opens a
Pandora’s box of other problems. Enclosed footwear is a breeding place
for bacteria and so if you wear covered footwear all the time you could
get an infection. The best thing to do is to find the right balance
between both. Wear covered footwear to protect your feet, but take them
off and air your feet every now and then. There is also anti fungal
powder that is available and can be used to powder your feet at regular
intervals. This prevents foot odor too.
There are various products available for diabetics to keep foot
problems at bay as well to help deal with them. There are topical creams
that help ease foot pain and tablets that relieve symptoms of diabetic
neuropathy like tingling, burning and numbness. It is very important for
a diabetic to insulate their feet against cold weather as this
aggravates foot problems. Very well made diabetic foot socks are
available to combat the cold. You can get foot lotions, creams and
sanitizers that will go a long way in keeping your feet free from
infections.
A regular check up with a podiatrist
is necessary if you suffer from diabetes. As they say, ‘Prevention is
better than cure’. By taking a few simple but important measures you can
lessen the risks caused by diabetes.
No comments:
Post a Comment