Start out on the Right Foot: Diabetes Foot Care Tips

One of the critical issues in diabetes management is taking care of your feet. There are different diabetic feet problems, so as the New Year gets underway it is important to understand:

·         Why diabetes affects your feet

·         Serious diabetic feet complications

·         What you can do to avoid diabetic feet problems

Why diabetes affects your feet

Your body uses insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas to take blood sugar, or glucose, and to deliver it to your cells to function. If you have more glucose in your blood than your body can manage, you can develop insulin resistance, or your pancreas may not be able to produce enough insulin to manage glucose. Diabetes results from having more glucose than your body can manage. The elevated levels of glucose can have a damaging effect on your body. Diabetic feet are a primary area for concern.

Chronically high glucose will destroy the blood vessels that supply blood to your nerves by starving your body of oxygen. High blood sugar can also damage the nerves themselves, along with the myelin, which is the sheath that surrounds the nerves. [1]

Serious diabetic feet complications

Neuropathy: One of the complications of diabetes is neuropathy, which is damage or dysfunction to one or more nerves. Neuropathy can result in tingling, muscle weakness and pain in your feet. The CDC estimates about half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, with damage to nerves in feet and legs most often affected.[2]

Neuropathy also can cause numbness so that you might not feel a foot injury, cut or even a blister that could result in an ulcer. Diabetic feet ulcers are a considerable problem for people with diabetes. They can become infected, often leading to hospitalization. Poor blood flow, another complication of diabetes, also contributes to the potential for foot ulcers. Once peripheral neuropathy develops, the annual incidence of ulcer formation increases from less than one percent to greater than 7%.[3] An ulcer that does not heal causes severe damage to tissues and bone. This can result in surgical removal (amputation) of a toe, a foot or part of a leg.

Charcot foot: Nerve damage can trigger a rare condition called Charcot foot.  It is an inflammatory process that affects soft tissues, bones and joints in the foot or ankle causing foot damage or deformity.

Skin changes: Diabetes can cause your skin to become very dry. High blood glucose levels may cause greater loss of fluid from the body leading to dry skin on the legs, elbows, feet, and other areas. In fact, dry skin may be the first sign someone has diabetes. Additionally, nerve damage due to diabetic neuropathy can disrupt proper signaling to sweat glands in the feet, contributing to diabetic feet skin dryness. Left untreated, dry skin can lead to infections. [4]

Poor circulation: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a complication of diabetes. It reduces blood flow to the feet, can further delay healing of wounds as well as increase the risk of foot infection.[5]

Diabetic foot care tips

Here are diabetic foot care guidelines to avoid complications.

Check feet daily for

o    Dry and cracked skin

o    Blisters or sores

o    Bruises or cuts

o    Redness, warmth, or tenderness (often absent because of nerve damage)

o    Firm or hard spots

Consider special footwear: Structurally, diabetic shoes prevent pressure on the feet. A wider toe width or “toe box” gives toes more room to move to help prevent blisters and hot spots that can develop when toes rub against each other or against the shoe. Diabetic shoes also may have extra depth for a pressure-free fit. Diabetic shoes feature lightweight, cushioning soles to facilitate mobility and stability and reduce impacts on the feet. [6] They also help restrict air flow inside, which helps prevent moisture that can cause bacteria to grow. [7]

Exercise Carefully: Diabetic foot care guidelines for exercise recommend that if you are suffering from diabetic foot symptoms, do the right exercises that will not increase the risk of injury. Feet-friendly exercises include walking, swimming and even bike riding. Also keep the blood flowing in your feet. Several times a day, when you are sitting put your feet up, wiggle your toes and move your ankles. Avoid crossing your legs for prolonged periods of time. [8]

Prevent dry skin: By keeping your skin moisturized, you keep it more flexible and less prone to cracks that can lead to infections. EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream is an over-the-counter offering that uniquely feature active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes. The product covers the skin with a thick protective layer that penetrates to provide real, long lasting-relief.  It is unscented and non-greasy for added comfort. Daily use gives superior recovery and continuous relief, assuring long-lasting comfort.

Following these diabetic foot care guidelines can help prevent serious foot problems that can lead to long-term health complications.