Do you know how to properly care for your feet when you have diabetes?
If you’re living with diabetes, you know how important it is to care for your feet to prevent sores, ulcers, nerve damage, and other serious complications. Luckily, diabetic foot care doesn’t have to be confusing. While it’s essential that you turn to our Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, podiatrists Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg, and Dr. Adam Lowy for checkups at least once a year, here are some other ways to care for your diabetic feet.
Check Your Feet Daily
You should perform comprehensive self-exams once a day to check for any changes in your feet. The more often you do this, the faster you’ll be able to detect an issue if it occurs. Things to look for include wounds, cuts, blisters, corns and calluses, redness, swelling, or areas that are tender to the touch. Even simple problems can turn serious if you aren’t careful. By checking your feet once a day, you can catch issues right away, so you get the care you need to prevent complications.
Stay Active
Whether you are looking for an exercise regimen that fits you or you already have one that you follow, it’s essential that you remain physically active regularly. Being healthy and maintaining a balanced diet can go a long way to controlling your blood sugar levels and improving overall health. Just make sure that you always wear the proper supportive shoes for your activity of choice.
Never Go Barefoot
Many people with diabetes have some degree of nerve damage in their feet, which leads to a loss of sensation. This is why it’s crucial that you wear socks and shoes even if you are indoors, as you could injure your feet and not feel it or notice it. If you aren’t sure which shoes to wear to protect your diabetic feet, don’t hesitate to ask our foot doctors for advice.
Promote Better Blood Flow
It’s vital that you get enough blood flowing to your feet. If you have to sit most of the day, try to prop your feet up. Move the ankles and toes around several times throughout the day to get circulation moving. Avoid crossing your legs, and make sure you take time to get up from your desk and stretch those legs and feet periodically.
Schedule an Appointment
While proper diabetic foot care can go a long way to protecting your feet, it’s still essential that you turn to our Silver Spring, MD, podiatrists right away if you notice any changes in your feet (even minor problems such as redness or a cut).
Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland is dedicated to providing patients living in the Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, areas with compassionate, caring, and comprehensive diabetic foot care. To schedule an appointment with our team, call us today.
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