Diabetic Self Care

People with diabetes can reduce their risk of ulcers and other problems including amputation by following a few simple guidelines: Diabetic foot problems are not inevitable and healthy diabetic feet are an achievable goal. There are two basic principles to a successful diabetic foot care plan: attention and prevention.

Even for those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy or poor circulation, performing daily self-exams on your diabetic feet and taking immediate action at the first sign of diabetic foot complication symptoms can dramatically decrease your risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic foot infections.

Wearing diabetic shoes and socks at all times and frequent exams with your foot care specialist can help prevent diabetic foot injuries before they occur or grow worse.

Diabetic Foot care tips:

1. If there is foot swelling: Some diabetics use compression socks or hosiery to reduce diabetic foot swelling. This is not the right choice for all diabetic patients, so be sure to consult your doctor before beginning self-treatment.

2. Have your doctor check your bare feet at every visit.

3. Always see a foot care specialist to take care of your feet and notify them if you see that a problem area is not healing well.

4. Use a lotion or moisturizer on your feet to help prevent the skin from cracking or breaking down.

5. Wear Diabetic Socks when possible.

6. Wear stockings or socks without seams.

7. Break in new shoes very slowly. Wear them for only one hour a day for the first week, then add an hour to the wearing time every week.

8. Check your shoes every time you put them on, in order to avoid anything that may cause an irritation of the feet to occur.

9. Do Not go barefoot due to the nerve loss on the bottom of the feet.

10. When bathing, check the water temperature to make sure the water is not too hot.

11. If your feet stay cold at night wear socks, do not use hot water bottles, heating pads or any other heat producing device directly on your feet.

12. Check your feet every day, look in a mirror to see the bottom of your feet and between your toes checking for cuts, scrapes, bumps, sores, dry cracking skin, changes in the color of skin on the feet, changes in the temperature of the skin, ingrown or fungus-infected toenails and blisters.

13. Treat cuts, scrapes and blisters immediatly. See your physician if a wound does not heal. Open wounds could lead to ulcers or worse.

14. Keep your feet clean. Gently wash your feet with soap and warm water every day. Check the temperature of bath or shower before stepping into them. Hot water is not good to use if you are diabetic. Diabetics can hurt the nerves in their feet, you might not be able to tell if something is hurting your feet. It's best not to use heating pads or HOT water soaks, since you could burn your feet without knowing it.

15. Treat athletes foot. Athlete's foot is more common in people who have diabetes, and it can cause problems. If you have athlete's foot, wear a different pair of shoes every other day. This allows your shoes dry out. Always wear absorbent cotton socks. See your health care provider if over-the counter treatments don't clear up your athlete's foot.

16. Don't trim or cut corns or calluses at home with razor blades or other sharp tools. Moisturizine lotions should be used at bedtime to relieve pain and dryness.

17. NEVER USE CORN REMOVER, WART REMOVER, OR ANY OTHER CHEMICAL ON YOUR FEET.

18. Take action to improve your circulation. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and smoking can harm the circulation in your feet and keep sores from healing. Daily massage, Deep Muscle Stimulation Therapy can aid in circulation. and building muscle mass.

19. Just being aware and taking action when need be is the best way to keep your feet healthy!

• Diabetes • Neuropathies • Diabetic Neuropathies • Diabetic Self Care • Diabetic Hygiene • Neuropathy Self Care • Diabetic Foot Care Guide by LifeClinic