Diabetic Foot Care

Olney Office
(301) 924-5044

Clinton Office
(301) 868-7670

Crofton Office
(410) 721-2700

Serving the Silver Spring, Olney, Crofton and Clinton, MD areas

Diabetic Foot Care According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Diabetics are more prone to various foot problems than those without diabetes due to the development of painful nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can affect your entire body, but most often the legs and feet are the most prone areas to serious health complications.

The damage to your nerves can cause the loss of feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect extreme temperatures and pain as easily, or readily, as someone who does not have diabetes. As a result, you could sustain a serious cut or wound and not even notice your foot is injured until an infection begins. Many diabetic foot problems can be prevented in some measure with improved blood sugar control and a strengthened immune system.

If you are among one of the millions of people in the United States with diabetes, it is important to visit your podiatrist for regular foot examinations in order to maintain healthy feet and a strong body.

Here's some basic advice for taking care of diabetic feet:

Always keep your feet warm.
Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.
Keep feet away from heat (heating pads, hot water pads, electric blankets, radiators, fireplaces). You can burn your feet without knowing it. Water temperature should be less than 92 degrees. Estimate with your elbow or bath thermometer (you can get one in any store that sells infant products).
Avoid smoking or sitting cross-legged. Both reduce blood flow to your feet.
Avoid soaking feet.
Don't use antiseptic solutions (such as iodine or salicylic acid) or over-the-counter treatments for corns or calluses.
Don't use any tape or sticky products, such as corn plasters, on your feet. They can rip your skin.
Use a nail file or emery board to shape toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office for treatment.
Use lotion to moisturize feet, keeping skin soft and moist - ensuring not to put any lotion between your toes.
Wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water.
Wear loose socks overnight.
When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
Purchase shoes that are comfortable and do not need to be "broken-in" . Be sure to thoroughly check how the shoe fits - in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Look for shoes with leather upper material and ample room for toes. Use new shoes for minimal time periods - two hours or less at a time.
Don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday. Examine the inside of each shoe looking for foreign objects, protruding nails, or any rough spots inside before putting them on. Be sure not to lace shoes too tight or loose.
Be sure to wear clean, dry socks everyday and always wear socks with shoes. Avoid torn or wrinkled socks. Look for thin, cotton socks in the summer as they are more absorbent. Look for socks with square-toes as they will not squeeze toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops or garters.
Never wear sandals or thongs (flip-flops) and never go barefoot, indoors or out.
In the winter, wear warm socks and protective outer footwear. Avoid getting your feet wet in the snow and rain and avoid letting your toes get cold.
Don't file down, remove, or shave off corns or calluses yourself.

Contact our office immediately if you experience any injury to your foot. Even a minor injury is an emergency for a patient with diabetes.

For more information on Diabetic Foot Care in the Silver Spring, Olney, Crofton and Clinton, MD area call Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland!

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