Find out why the health of your feet is so vital when you have diabetes.
Those with diabetes know all too well about the importance of keeping blood sugar levels in check. If blood sugar levels are too high for
too long this can lead to issues such as nerve damage, infection, poor circulation and other serious conditions that can greatly impact the health of your feet. Our Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Kensington and Silver Spring, MD, podiatrists Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg and Dr. Adam Lowy are here to tell you what you can do maintain healthy feet if you have diabetes.
Perform Daily Self-Exams on Your Feet
How will you know that you are experiencing issues with your feet if you never take the time to look them over? It’s important that you are keeping an eye on your feet everyday to look for any warning signs such as blisters, redness, swelling or areas that are tender to the touch, as these symptoms and problems can quickly turn serious if they aren’t properly cared for. It only takes a couple of minutes to perform these self-exams but they could just end up protecting your feet from severe issues.
Keep Feet Clean
It’s important that you wash your feet every day in order to remove bacteria that could lead to infection. This means using soap and lukewarm and washing all areas of your feet, including between your toes water (you will want to first test the water with your elbow if you have any nerve damage in your feet to prevent burning yourself). After a thorough washing, make sure to also thoroughly dry your feet and use a moisturizer to prevent cracking and dryness.
Know When to See a Doctor
It’s important that you are maintaining strong communication between yourself, your doctor and your foot doctor in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Kensington and Silver Spring, MD, to make sure you are getting comprehensive care whenever you need it. Maintaining optimal blood sugar levels is the most important thing you can do not just to keep your diabetes in check but also to protect yourself from health complications. And if you notice any sores, cuts, redness, swelling or calluses on your feet it’s important to give us a call as soon as possible.
Wear Shoes and Socks at All Times
It might be tempting to take your shoes off, especially if you are in the comfort of your own home, but it’s important that you have protective footwear on at all times. This is particularly important if you have any issues with circulation or nerve damage in your feet, as you won’t always be able to feel when you have stepped on something or cut yourself, which can quickly turn into an infection. Play it safe and wear shoes and socks everyday, no matter if you are inside or outside.
Don’t let diabetes affect your quality of life or your foot health. If you are dealing with any changes in your feet it’s important that you have foot care specialists that you can turn to for immediate medical attention. If you are looking for comprehensive foot and ankle care in the Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Kensington and Silver Spring, MD, areas then call Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland today.