Diabetes changes many things in your life, from your diet to your risk of foot problems. Fortunately, performing daily foot exams and visiting your podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Associates of Maryland in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, for diabetic foot care can help you avoid common foot issues.
Diabetes and your feet
High levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood can cause several problems that affect your feet, including:
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy occurs due to nerve damage and causes tingling and numbness in your feet. If you can't feel your feet, you won't notice if you have a sore or blister, be able to tell if your shoes are too tight or feel pain if you step on a sharp rock.
- Poor Circulation: Diabetes may affect blood circulation to your foot. Without proper circulation, cuts, scratches or burst blisters may be slow to heal, increasing the risk of infection.
- Infections: High blood sugar slows healing, which means that even minor foot injuries may quickly become infected. If you have a severe infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics and other treatments, it may be necessary to amputate your foot or even your leg.
- Change in Foot Shape: Charcot's foot, a condition caused by nerve damage, can change the shape of your foot and cause shifting or broken bones.
What you can do to avoid diabetic foot problems
You can reduce your risk of these problems by:
- Examining your feet every day for cuts, scratches, open sores, ingrown toenails or burst blisters and contacting your Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, podiatrists for diabetic foot care if you notice any signs of infection
- Wearing socks and shoes to protect your feet from injuries
- Cutting your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails
- Keeping your blood sugar under control
- Finding a new pair of shoes if you notice red spots or blisters on your feet
- Adding orthotics, prescription shoe inserts that cushion your feet, to your shoes to reduce pressure and prevent blisters
Protect your health by making diabetic foot care a priority! Your Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Institute of Maryland can help you keep your feet healthy. To schedule an appointment with the foot doctors call:
(301) 924-5044 (Olney)
(301) 868-7670 (Camp Springs/Clinton)
(301) 439-0300 (Silver Spring)
(301) 942-8110 (Kensington)
(301) 317-6800 (Laurel and Maple Lawn)