Foot Care Tips for Diabetics
About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage. A reduction in circulation causes nerve damage, which is the major cause of foot problems in diabetics, as it inhibits the ability to feel pain,(neuropathy) allowing some foot injuries to go undetected. Therefore, people with diabetes are at a much higher risk for complications from ordinary, everyday cuts and scrapes.
Because of reduced circulation and problems with sensation (neuropathy), most people with diabetes can avoid such serious problems by taking good are of their feet.
Foot Care Tips for Diabetics:
1. Wash your feet daily.
2. Inspect your feet daily.
3. Wear soft socks.
4. Change your socks often and never go barefoot.
5. Avoid sandals, high heels, and shoes with pointed toes.
6. Make sure the shoes you wear fit properly are not tight fitting.
Use these first aid tips as the first line of defense if you do develop a cut, scrap or more serious wound.
Diabetes Wound Care: First Aid Kit
You are the first line of defense against wound complications. Here's what you need to have on hand for proper wound care when you have diabetes.
- Lotion. Use a simple lotion or moisturizer to prevent your feet from drying and cracking. The important thing is that you use it regularly.
- Normal saline (available by prescription) or hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds
- Anti-fungal cream if you have athlete's foot or other fungal infection
- Triple-antibiotic cream for dressing cuts or scrapes
- 4x4 sterile gauze pads for covering wounds
- The phone number for your local wound care center or doctor's office
Although cleaning your wound, dressing it with antibiotics, and covering it with gauze are important steps in diabetes wound care, don't stop there. A wound care specialist should see even minor injuries and foot sores, within seven days at most.