As your Toronto Chiropodist and Podiatrist who cares, we want you to have all the information you need. Having certain foot issues is common for people with diabetes. Two of the most common diseases we see are diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.
The first involves nerve damage in your feet and legs. If this type of neuropathy advances enough, you won’t be able to feel heat or cold or any kind of pain there.
Diabetics can have sores or cuts on their feet that take a long time to heal. This happens when diabetes affects the blood flow. In extreme cases, you can run the risk of getting something irreversible like gangrene.
Toronto Chiropodist Tips to Keep Those Feet Healthy
We can help you put together a foot care plan that takes into account your diabetes. Including some of these tips is an important part of avoiding the ravages of this disease. The first tip is probably the most obvious. Diabetics should check their feet once daily.
It’s possible to have a problem without any pain. Look between your toes for any red spots, sores or cuts. Check your feet all over for fluid filled blisters or swelling.
Ingrown toenails can cause damage. Keep your eye out for these.
It’s important to wash your feet in lukewarm to warm water everyday. Make sure it’s not hot enough to burn or scald them.
Proper Fitting Shoes
It’s critical to wear proper fitting shoes when you’re a diabetic. Shoes that don’t fit properly can rub against the sides of your feet and cause diabetic ulcers. Research tells us that up to 10% of diabetics suffer from these.
As your Toronto Chiropodist and Podiatrist, we want to help with all of the details that will help keep your feet in good shape. There’s even a certain way to trim your toenails when you’re a diabetic. Don’t cut into the corners. Rather, it’s best to go in a straight line. Use an emery board to file the edges.
Finally, you should wear socks and shoes at all times. Walking barefoot on the beach is the luxury of someone who doesn’t suffer from diabetes. Athletic shoes are good for diabetics because they support your feet to allow them to breathe at the same time. They also prevent sharp objects from entering the sole of your foot. W
hen you buy new shoes, only wear them for a few hours at a time at first. That way you’ll be able to check for any swelling or soreness. We’re the Toronto Chiropodist who can answer all your questions about diabetic foot care.
