Learn how to properly care for your feet if you’re living with diabetes.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes here in Brick, NJ, then you know just how important it is to practice good foot care. Here at The Center for Foot and Ankle Medicine, our podiatrists Dr. Keith Rosenthal, Dr. Julian Sansone, and Dr. Rarama specialize in providing diabetic foot care to the Howell Township and in Brick, NJ, areas. Here are some helpful tips to protect your diabetic feet from complications.
Properly Manage Blood Sugar
The key to preventing diabetic-related foot complications is to make sure that you have your diabetes under control. This means turning to your primary care physician, as well as an endocrinologist and our Brick, NJ, podiatrists for diabetic health and foot care. Taking the proper insulin medication, living a healthy lifestyle, and constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels throughout the day can go a long way to maintaining good health while living with diabetes.
Examine Feet Daily
When you check your feet every day you’re certainly more likely to notice when issues arise, so any podiatrist will recommend examining your feet at least once a day. If you have trouble inspecting your feet, ask a family member for help or use a hand mirror to help check all areas including between toes. You want to look for any problems or changes in your feet that may require special care from our podiatric team. This includes everything from redness and swelling to corns, calluses, deformities, and cuts.
Always Wear Shoes and Socks
Since many people with diabetes also have some degree of nerve damage in their feet, this means that there is a loss of sensation in the feet. This also makes people with diabetes more prone to foot-related injuries since they can’t feel their feet. This is why patients with diabetes must always wear properly fitted shoes and socks, even while indoors.
Bathe Feet Daily in Lukewarm Water
It’s important that you also properly clean your feet with gentle soap and warm (not hot) water every day to remove bacteria and other germs that could increase your risk for an infection. Always be gentle with your feet and always test the water with your elbow before getting in. Once feet have been properly cleaned you must dry them thoroughly.
Never Treat Foot Problems Yourself
Even the smallest problems including cuts and ingrown toenails should be treated by a qualified foot and ankle specialist. Do not try and treat these problems on their own. While they may seem rather minor, patients with diabetes are more likely to deal with serious complications if they don’t get the proper medical attention and treatment they need.
If you have questions about diabetic foot care, turn to our Howell Township and Brick, NJ, podiatrists at The Center for Foot and Ankle Medicine to learn more. By turning to us for regular checkups you can prevent more serious complications from happening to you. Call us today at (732) 833-2800 or (732) 477-0441.