It is extremely important to take care of your feet when you have diabetes. Foot wounds often heal more slowly due to poor circulation, which increases the risk of developing an infection or a foot ulcer. The experienced podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Associates in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel and Maple Lawn, MD, provide diabetic foot care to help you maintain healthy feet and prevent foot ulcers.
Checking Diabetic Feet
Checking the feet daily for ulcers and other wounds is essential to ensuring the feet stay healthy. For individuals with diabetes, cuts, ulcers, puncture wounds and other injuries to the feet that go unnoticed and untreated can easily become infected. Checking the feet daily and treating wounds immediately with first aid measures helps prevent infection, as well as more serious foot and health conditions.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers are open wounds that can take several weeks or even months to fully heal. They usually develop on the bottoms of the feet. Drainage or discharge on the socks is a sign that you might have a foot ulcer. Without proper treatment, a diabetic foot ulcer might not heal and could lead to various complications.
Untreated foot ulcers that will not heal are the most common reason for lower limb amputation among patients with diabetes. The skilled and caring podiatry team at our office in the Clinton, MD, area offers diabetic foot care to help your feet stay healthy.
Caring for Diabetic Feet
In addition to checking your feet daily for ulcers and other injuries, there are many things you can do to maintain healthy feet. Some ways to care for your feet when you have diabetes include:
- Keep feet clean, dry and warm
- Avoid soaking the feet in water
- Avoid getting the feet wet in rain or snow
- Wear warm socks and shoes in cold weather
- Wear shoes that are both comfortable and fit well
- Prevent ingrown toenails by trimming nails straight across
- Improve circulation by stretch or moving the legs and feet throughout the day
- Wear loose socks to bed to keep the feet warm
Individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop ulcers and other wounds on the feet due to poor circulation. One way to keep the feet healthy is to check for foot ulcers daily and seek treatment right away if you discover one. For diabetic foot care in Clinton, MD, call Family Foot & Ankle Associates of Maryland at (301) 924-5044. We also have office locations in Camp Springs, Kensington, Olney, Laurel, Maple Lawn and Silver Spring.
Olney, MD, office: (301) 924-5044
Camp Springs/Clinton, MD, office: (301) 868-7670
Silver Spring, MD, office: (301) 439-0300
Kensington, MD, office: (301) 942-8110
Laurel and Maple Lawn, MD, office: (301) 317-6800