Diabetic Footcare

People with Diabetes, too much Glucose in the Blood can cause serious Foot Complications

 

For people with diabetes, too much glucose in the blood

can cause serious foot complications

  

 

 

 

 

Diabetic neuropathy is a lack of feeling accompanied by tingling, burning, pain, or numbness in your legs and feet due to nerve damage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peripheral vascular disease causes poor blood flow in the arms and legs that can affect the ability of a sore or cut to heal, leading to ulcers or gangrene.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common foot problems of people with diabetes can lead to serious complications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athlete's foot is a fungus that causes itching, redness, and cracking

Nails that are infected with a fungus may become discolored, thick and brittle, and may separate from the rest of the nail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calluses are a build-up of hard skin, usually on the underside of the foot caused by an uneven distribution of weight. 

 

 

 

 

 

Corns are a build-up of hard skin near a bony area of a toe or between toes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blisters can form when your shoes rub the same spot on your foot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunions form when the big toe angles toward the second toe and becomes red and callused (where the big toe joins the rest of the foot).

Dry skin can crack, allowing germs to enter.

 

A foot ulcer is a break in the skin or a deep sore which can become infected

 

A hammertoe is a toe that is bent because of a weakened muscle that makes the tendons shorter, causing the toes to curl under the feet.

 

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of the nail grow into the skin causing redness, swelling, pain, drainage, and infection.

 

Plantar warts look like calluses on the ball of the foot or on the heel and are caused by a virus that infects the outer layer of skin.

 

 

Learn how to prevent foot problems if you have diabetes

 

 

 

Take care of your diabetes by keeping your blood glucose level within the range recommended by your doctor.

 

 

 

Check and examine your feet every day

 

 

 

 Wash your feet every day and keep them nice and moisturized by applying lotion.

 

 

 

 

 

Smooth corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check and trim your toenails once a week.

 

 Wear socks or stockings and proper shoes at all     times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put your feet up to maintain good blood flow.

 

 

 

 

 

Smoking can make blood flow problems worse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit your doctor or podiatrist for regular check-ups
on your feet, even if you don't have any foot problems.