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Diabetic Foot Care Tips

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Diabetic foot care in Las Vegas is different from other types of foot care, as diabetes patients have different foot maladies than other people. Diabetes can be devastating to the feet, and if regular foot care isn’t given to diabetes patients, the results will fall short of the mark.

Comprehensive diabetic foot care involves keeping your feet healthy, as well as keeping your diabetes in control. The aim of diabetic foot care is to ensure that you do not get ulcers on your feet and lose your toes.

There is much you can do to get comprehensive diabetic care on your own including the following:

Keeping Your Feet Warm and Dry

Ensuring that your feet are not only dry but also warm is key to preventing foot ulcers typical of diabetes patients. It is especially important in winter when it is cold and wet.

You can keep your feet warm and dry using several approaches such as wearing heavy socks or leggings. There are socks made with extra padding specifically for diabetes patients. Keeping a heater by your feet is also advisable throughout the winter.

Cold feet are at a higher risk of contracting an infection in comparison to warm feet. You should also ensure that you don’t walk while barefoot if you have diabetes, even in your home.

Wash Your Feet Gently

A diabetes patient is generally more fragile than someone who does not have diabetes. If you do have diabetes, you should be more gentle with your body, including when you’re cleaning your feet.

You should wash your feet daily when you have diabetes. Use lukewarm water while using a soft cloth or sponge. Never use hot water as that compromises the health of your feet. Gently dab a towel or dry cloth on your feet when you are finished. Avoid rubbing a towel vigorously against your feet.

You can moisturize your feet afterward, but only the soles and never between your toes. Moisturizing between your toes makes you more susceptible to a fungal infection.

Never Treat Your Own Corns or Calluses

Many people are accustomed to treating their own corn or calluses. They usually do so by scrubbing or slicing them which is unacceptable if you are diabetic.

Such forms of ‘bathroom surgery’ are severely discouraged in diabetic foot care. If you have a foot ulcer, removing your own callouses will only make the situation worse. Therefore, whenever you notice corns, calluses, or any other types of growth on your feet, you should visit your doctor for treatment.

Go For Regular Foot Exams

Going to a doctor to get your feet examined may seem unusual, but if you have diabetes, you should get used to it if you want to keep your toes. It may be the difference between keeping your foot or losing it. 

You should visit a foot and ankle surgeon regularly as they will help prevent any serious issues from affecting your feet. It would be better to get a referral from your regular doctor so you can ensure you get a foot and ankle doctor with experience in dealing with diabetic patients.