8 Tips to Prevent Diabetes-Related Foot Problems

Diabetes is a big problem in America. Many people immediately associate diabetes with being overweight and the health problems that typically follow. One area of health that diabetes affects that many people don’t know about is the feet. Due to poor blood flow and potential nerve damage from diabetes, foot problems can be very common in diabetic people. 

There are some methods that can be used to help prevent these issues from occurring. While these diabetes foot care tips are not going to be perfect at keeping the problems away, they will assist in making your feet healthier and stronger, which will help reduce the likelihood of said issues forming. 

Check feet

Many people with diabetes and without, have problems feeling their feet. This can be a warning sign of problems that could arise. Even if there isn’t a present issue, you should check your feet every day for injuries.

A small cut or sore could easily get infected, which could lead to a lot of undesirable issues. If you have trouble feeling your feet, make sure you check them to ensure that an injury to your foot didn’t go unnoticed!

Clean feet

Keeping your feet clean can help eliminate the chance of infection. Using warm water, wash your feet gently with a washcloth or sponge. Not only is this a preventative measure, but it will feel really nice at the end of a long day!

Change socks

You should wear a different pair of socks every day. Using fresh socks rather than used ones will help you avoid any germs or infections that could thrive in the warm, sweaty socks over time.

You should always wear socks. They will act as good shields for your feet, preventing smaller injuries from occurring. 

Correct footwear

Athletic or running shoes are great to wear because they are flexible, and they allow your feet to breathe. This helps obtain healthier feet by preventing infection and giving your feet some room to move. Harder plastic shoes are not as good in either of these areas, so they should be avoided if possible. 

Check shoes

When putting your shoes on, always check inside of them first. This will ensure that no object is stuck inside. You may not be able to feel a smaller object under your foot, but it could still hurt your foot, leading to more problems. 

Temperature

Make sure your feet aren’t exposed to surfaces that are hot or cold. Either extreme could lead to injury or damage, and you wouldn’t even know it. Make sure your feet are protected from the sun as well as the cold wind during winter. 

Blood flow to feet

Make sure there is good blood flow to your feet. Blood flow can help heal injuries, but if you have diabetes your blood flow could be restricted. Move your feet and toes, don’t wear tight pants, socks, or shoes, and try to stay active with activities that are not super impactful on your feet.

Check-ups

One of the most important methods is to simply make sure you are visiting a doctor regularly. This will help you receive updated, relevant treatment for your needs and condition.

Conclusion

Any medical problem is hard to endure. Make sure this one doesn’t have to be harder than necessary. If you think there may be issues, contact a doctor today.  Practice good hygiene, check up on yourself, and work with your doctor and you can still live your life to the fullest.