Foot Problems
Why Is Foot Care Important?
An estimated 9 in 10 amputations occur because of an infection. Yet, more than half of these might be avoided with proper foot care.
Foot infections commonly arise in people with diabetes because the disease can damage nerves and narrow blood vessels, thus masking sensation and circulation. So, if you have decreased feeling in your foot, and you get a blister or a cut, you might not feel any pain. Also, if you also have poor circulation (common in people with Type 2 diabetes), the healing process can take longer, making it easier for an infection to develop. The lesson? Stay attentive and responsive to any ailments to avoid infections.
What Causes Foot Problems?
High blood sugar levels cause body tissues to store higher levels of sugar. This excess sugar can encourage the growth of bacteria, which, in turn, can cause infections to develop more rapidly.
Smoking also impairs circulation, compounding the poor blood flow that may already exist in a person with diabetes.
How Do You Know If You Have Foot Problems?
If you suffer from nerve damage (called neuropathy) in your feet, you can develop a number of problems. You can also develop serious problems if you suffer from poor circulation.
You may not notice any symptoms. However, some people may feel their feet tingle, burn, or hurt or even that their feet change shape, color, or temperature.
Other symptoms may include:
- Cracked or dry skin on the feet
- Thickened, sometimes yellowish, toenails
- Loss of hair on feet, toes, or lower legs
- Difficulty feeling cold or hot temperatures
If you notice blisters, corns, bunions, ingrown toenails, or ulcers on your feet, you need to see your healthcare provider right away.
Also let your healthcare provider know if you experience any of the following:
- A change in the color or temperature of your feet
- Swelling in your foot and/or ankle
- Foot odor that doesn't go away
How Can You Prevent Foot Problems?
Since high blood sugar levels can lead to neuropathy, keep your blood sugar levels as normal as possible. Since poor circulation increases the risk of infections, and since smoking hampers circulation, it's important not to start smoking or to quit if you already smoke.
Exercise can help in these situations, too. Walk often to keep blood flowing in your legs. And wiggle your toes and ankles a few times a day to keep the blood circulating.
When you sit, keep your feet elevated if you can.
Wear natural cotton or wool socks to help cushion your feet and help them breathe. Always wear shoes or slippers, even in the house, to prevent injury. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Each time you buy a pair of shoes, ask the salesperson to measure your feet to ensure proper sizing. Go for breathable material such as canvas or leather if you can. Avoid high heels and/or pointed toes, since those can increase pressure on your foot. Whenever you get a new pair of shoes, break them in gradually.
To Do List for Foot Care
- Wash - don't soak - your feet in warm (not hot) water, and use mild soap.
- After your bath or shower (when your skin is soft) use a pumice stone to gently remove the build-up of tissue on any corns or calluses. Move the stone in one direction only to avoid abrasions.
- Dry your feet carefully, especially between the toes.
- Once dry, check top, bottom, sides and between toes for dry or cracked skin, cuts, and/or sores. To see the bottom of your feet more easily, use a hand mirror or ask someone to assist you.
- Then, apply a moisturizing lotion to your feet. Do not use it between the toes, though, since that can encourage the growth of bacteria and fungus. Add talcum powder if your feet sweat.
- Trim your nails as needed. Use an emery file instead of scissors to avoid cutting yourself, and file straight across.
If you develop corns or calluses, never cut them. Instead, see a doctor for treatment to stave off infection.
If you develop a blister, use an antibacterial cream and a small bandage to protect the skin. Don't pop the blister, since that can also lead to infection.
How Can You Treat Foot Problems?
A foot doctor, called a podiatrist, can help treat calluses, bunions, or corns. The doctor can bandage cuts and ulcers and apply a topical medication.
If your wounds won't heal easily, you'll probably need to stay off your feet, since walking on them can drive the infection deeper into your foot. In this case, you might need to use a wheelchair or crutches, or wear special shoes, braces, or casts. The doctor might suggest using a total contact cast (made of fiberglass with a bar on the bottom) to help you walk more easily.
If a wound or ulcer becomes infected, you'll probably get an antibiotic to help eliminate the infection. Sometimes, the dead and infected tissue will need to be cleaned by a process known as debridement. A skin graft or skin substitute may also be used if healing doesn't progress.
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Thursday
November 20, 2008
Tip of the Day
Regular exercise increases the number of insulin receptor sites on cells, making the body more sensitive to insulin.
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