Introduction
Do you want to lower your chances of getting foot
problems that can lead to the loss of a toe, foot, or leg? This booklet tells
you how. It's all about taking care of your feet. Even if you have had diabetes
for a long time, this booklet can help you learn more. Use it to help you make
your own plan for taking care of your feet. Share your plan with your doctor
and health care team and get their help when you need it.
Reminder: Call your doctor right away if a cut,
blister, or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after a few days.
Why is foot care important?
Over time, diabetes can cause you to lose feeling
in your feet. When you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble
inside your sock or a blister on your foot, which can lead to cuts and sores.
Diabetes also can lower the amount of blood flow in your feet. Numbness and
less blood flow in the feet can lead to foot problems.
Foot care is very important for all people with
diabetes, but even more so if you have:
pain or loss of feeling in your feet (numbness,
tingling)
changes in the shape of your feet or toes
sores, cuts, or ulcers on your feet that do not
heal
If you take care of your feet every day, you can
lower your chances of losing a toe, foot, or leg. Managing your blood sugar can
also help keep your feet healthy.
Work with your health care team to make a
diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle and includes foot care. The team may
include your doctor, a diabetes educator, a nurse, a foot doctor (podiatrist)
and other specialists who can help you manage your diabetes.
1. Check your feet every day.
Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots,
swelling, and infected toenails. You may have foot problems, but feel no pain
in your feet.
Check your feet each evening when you take off
your shoes.
If you have trouble bending over to see your
feet, use a mirror to help. You can also ask a family member or caregiver to
help you.
2. Wash your feet every day.
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Do not
soak your feet because your skin will get dry.
Before bathing or showering, test the water to
make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer (90° to 95° F is safe)
or your elbow to test the water.
Use talcum powder or cornstarch to keep the skin
between your toes dry to prevent infection.
3. Keep the skin soft and smooth.
Rub a thin coat of lotion, cream, or petroleum
jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet.
Do not put lotion or cream between your toes
because this might cause an infection.
4. Smooth corns and calluses gently.
Thick patches of skin called corns or calluses
can grow on the feet. If you have corns or calluses, check with your foot
doctor about the best way to care for them.
If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone
to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a
type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to
avoid tearing the skin.
Do not cut corns and calluses.
Do not use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid
corn and callus removers - they can damage your skin and cause an infection.
5. If you can see, reach, and feel your feet, trim your toenails
regularly.
Trim your toenails with nail clippers after you
wash and dry your feet.
Trim your toenails straight across and smooth the
corners with an emery board or nail file. This prevents the nails from growing
into the skin. Do not cut into the corners of the toenail.
Have a foot doctor trim your toenails if:
you cannot see or feel your feet
you cannot reach your feet
your toenails are thick or yellowed
your nails curve and grow into the skin
6. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk
barefoot when indoors or outside. It is easy to step on something and hurt your
feet. You may not feel any pain and not know that you hurt yourself.
Make sure you wear socks, stockings, or nylons
with your shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores.
Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well.
Socks that have no seams are best.
Check inside your shoes before you put them on.
Make sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in your shoes.
Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
7. Protect your feet from hot and cold.
Wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement. You
may burn your feet and may not know it.
Put sunscreen on the top of your feet to prevent
sunburn.
Keep your feet away from heaters and open fires.
Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on
your feet.
Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.
Wear lined boots in the winter to keep your feet
warm.
8. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
Put your feet up when you are sitting.
Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a
day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to help blood flow in your
feet and legs.
Do not cross your legs for long periods of time.
Do not wear tight socks, elastic, or rubber bands
around your legs.
Do not smoke. Smoking can lower the amount of blood
flow to your feet.
9. Be more active.
Being active improves blood flow to the feet. Ask
your health care team for safe ways to be more active each day. Move more by
walking, dancing, swimming, or going bike riding.
If you are not very active, start slowly.
Find safe places to be active.
Wear athletic shoes that give support and are
made for your activity.
10. Be sure to ask your health care team to:
check your feet at every visit
check the sense of feeling and pulses in your
feet at least once a year
show you how to care for your feet
refer you to a foot doctor if needed
tell you if special shoes would help protect your
feet
Reminder: Cut out the foot care tip sheet in this
booklet and put it on your bathroom or bedroom wall or your nightstand to remind
you to take care of your feet.
Complete the "To Do List" at the back
of this booklet.
11. Take care of your diabetes.
Work with your health care team to make a plan to
manage your diabetes.
Ask your health care team to help you set and
reach goals for managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Ask your team to help you choose safe ways to be
more active each day and choose healthy foods to eat.
Tips for Choosing the Right Footwear
Shoebox with shoes inside
Wearing the right type of shoes is important for
keeping your feet healthy. Walking shoes and athletic shoes are good for daily
wear. They support your feet and allow them to "breathe."
Never wear vinyl or plastic shoes, because they
do not stretch or "breathe."
When buying shoes, make sure they feel good and
have enough room for your toes.
Do not wear shoes with pointed toes or high heels
often. They put too much pressure on your toes.
Buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet
are the largest so that you can find the best fit.
Medicare and other insurance for special footwear:
You may need special shoes or shoe inserts to
support your feet. Medicare Part B insurance may cover some of the cost of
special shoes or inserts. Ask your doctor if your insurance plan will pay for:
Depth shoes or inserts. Depth shoes look like
walking shoes, but have MORE ROOM in them. The extra room is for different
shaped feet and toes, or for inserts made to fit your feet.
Custom molded shoes with inserts.
Ask your doctor or foot doctor how you can get
this special footwear.
Things to remember:
Set a time every day to check your feet.
Wear socks and shoes at all times.
Write down the date of your next visit to the
doctor. Go to all of your appointments and ask any questions that you have.
Set a date for getting the things you need to
take care of your feet: nail clippers, pumice stone, emery board, skin lotion,
talcum powder, plastic mirror, socks, walking shoes, and slippers.
Stop smoking.
Manage your diabetes so you can prevent foot
problems.
--------------
Dr . Tarik Torki
Diabetic Foot Specialist
& Foot
Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com
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