Diabetes and Footcare-Diabetics and Vascular Disease

Diabetes and your feet. This article is written to offer basic information about the importance of foot care when you suffer with diabetes.

It is always advisable to seek a medical opinion if you have a foot problem especially if you have diabetes.

Please treat the following diabetes information as guidance only.

Having diabetes is not a prerequisitefor having feet problems. Many sufferers with regular foot care will not develop diabetic linked feet problems.

Prevention is better than cure, carefully controlling your diabetes and regular foot maintenance vastly reduces incidence of diabetic related feet problems.

Smoking increases the risk of vascular disease specifically in the legs which may be a high risk factor of diabetic feet problems. Stopping smoking vastly reduces the risk of feet problems to diabetes sufferers; not too mention all of the health and financial related benefits.

Diabetes sufferers have varying degrees of risk to their feet.

People with diabetes may have damaged blood vessels ( vascular disease ) or nerve damage ( neuropathy ), both of these conditions lead to very poor circulation and limited feeling particularly in the feet.

As a diabetes sufferer it is imperative that you protect your feet, any problem should be resolved as soon as you recognise it by seeking professional advice.

Things to look out for when you have diabetes:

Blisters with diabetes- Blisters are commonly caused by wearing inappropriate footwear. Always have your feet measured and if possible avoid wearing high heel shoes as they distribute the weight to the front of the foot putting additional pressure on your toes and balls of your feet.

Small cuts and scrapes-As a diabetes sufferer a cut or scratch can easily become infected. Clean the wound immediately and treat with an antiseptic, for more serious wound medical attention is needed as infection can quickly take hold and cause complications.

Ingrowing toe nails- Medical assistance should be sought if you have diabetes and an ingrowing toe nail.

Athletes foot- It is best to use prescribed medications from your medical team if you have athletes foot as these great reduce the risk of infection.

Dry Skin- Wash and dry your feet then apply lotions; E45 or Vaseline are suitable products. If dry skin continues or becomes infected seek medical assistance.

Reduce your risk of diabetes related feet problems by developing a regular and routine maintenance program:

• self inspection, check all around; under the foot and in beween toes
• wear properly measured shoes, avoid high heels or tight fitting shoes
• keep your toe nails level with the end of the toe
• walking helps circulation
• stop smoking
• try to control your diabetes
• have regular check ups with medical team or chiropodist