Foot care is imperative for diabetics. Maintaining your feet and paying close attention to any cuts or sores makes it possible for patients to catch a cut or sore before it turns into an infection, or worse.
West Palm Beach, Florida (PRWEB) July 31, 2014
Over 25 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and new patients are being diagnosed daily. Too much glucose in the blood causes diabetes and the disruption of normal blood flow can cause nerve damage, among other health complications. Nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the extremities put patients’ feet at serious risk for neuropathy, ulcers, and more. Daily foot care and regular podiatrist visits for patients with diabetes are extremely important to maintain healthy feet and address minor issues before they become big problems. The doctors at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers offer comprehensive diabetic foot care exams and education for patients newly diagnosed with diabetes.
What is neuropathy? Neuropathy is nerve damage that is a resulting side effect of diabetes. Neuropathy is characterized by tingling, pain, and numbness. If a patient has diabetes, neuropathy can occur at any time – it does not have to be an advanced case. Patients experiencing numbness as a result of neuropathy will often not feel foot injuries, blisters, cuts, or wounds. Any open sores or foot injuries can easily get infected because of peripheral vascular disease, which is also associated with diabetes. Peripheral vascular disease is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries in the hands and feet. A lack of proper blood flow prevents cuts and sores from healing properly and can result in a foot ulcer. These problems are exacerbated by a weakened immune system, also caused by diabetes. Infections can set in as well as other complications such as Charcot foot disease, deep space infections, and even amputation if the infection cannot be controlled by antibiotics.
Dr. Jonathan Cutler, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers explains, “Foot care is imperative for diabetics. Maintaining your feet and paying close attention to any cuts or sores makes it possible for patients to catch a cut or sore before it turns into an infection, or worse.” Many patients do not realize the severity of the dangers associated with diabetes when it comes to their feet. For these reasons, the podiatrists at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers offer the following tips on diabetic foot care:
- Inspect feet daily. Look for blisters, cuts, sores, and any red spots that could potentially turn into a wound. Remember not to rely on feeling a problem. If a self-inspection is difficult, a loved one can help with the process.
- Contact a podiatrist immediately if there are any problems.
- Keep feet clean and dry at all times.
- When cutting toenails, be sure to cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Take special care not to cause a cuticle injury or even hang nails that can lead to sores that can easily become infected.
- Wear proper shoes. Closed-toe athletic shoes with enough padding, support, and socks are recommended. Some patients might need custom-made orthotics, inserts, or orthotic shoes. Make sure that shoes do not crowd the toes or rub. Blisters can quickly turn into sores that can lead to infection.
- Keep regular doctor and podiatrist appointments.
About South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers
With podiatry centers located in Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, Belle Glade, Port St. Lucie, and West Palm Beach, South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers serves to meet the needs of those with foot and ankle conditions. The doctors at our centers provide an excellent level of care and compassion. Our podiatrists will work with patients to understand their needs and provide optimal treatment for their foot and ankle issues. For more information, visit wcfoot.com or call 561-674-0747 to schedule a consultation today.