If you live with diabetes, Dr. Herman Zarate at Capital Foot Care of Takoma Park, and Riverdale, MD is committed to providing quality diabetic foot care for your needs.
Steps for Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers can be a common issue for those suffering from diabetes. The condition impacts two very important aspects: the nerves and blood flow. When the nerves don’t function properly, you lose feeling in the feet. This means you won’t notice any cuts or wounds.
Blood flow is necessary for healing. If blood isn’t flowing properly to the feet, the wounds won’t heal. Having openings that don’t heal and being unable to feel those wounds to treat them properly leads to infections.
The good news is that, with a few steps, you can prevent this from happening. Dr. Zarate and the team at Capital Foot Care of Takoma Park, and Riverdale, MD share diabetic foot care tips below to help.
Always Inspect Your Feet
Each day, you should take the time to thoroughly inspect your feet, including between the toes. Look for blisters, cuts, and signs of infection, like redness and swelling. Also, keep an eye on your toenails, as ingrown toenails can lead to infections.
If you have trouble seeing your feet, ask a loved one for help or use a mirror. If you notice any signs of trouble, treat the area immediately. Seek care for any signs of infection.
Keep Your Feet Clean, Dry, and Moisturized
Be sure to wash your feet every day, thoroughly drying between your toes. Add moisturizer as well to prevent cracked skin, but do not add moisturizer between your toes, as this can lead to infections.
Manage Your Condition
Managing diabetes properly can go a long way in improving blood flow and nerve function. Keep an eye on your blood sugar, shed any extra weight, quit smoking if you do, and eat a healthy diet.
Keep Your Feet Comfortable
It’s important to wear close-toed shoes to prevent accidents that injure your feet. However, you should always keep your shoes on for the same reason, wear shoes that are comfortable and don't rub against your feet.
Take Care of Your Nails
Keep your toenails trimmed straight across but don’t cut them too short. If you’ve lost feeling in your toes or can reach them, let your podiatrist take care of them, instead.
Regular and proper diabetic foot care can be critical for preventing ulcers. Let Dr. Zarate help you keep your feet healthy by calling (301) 927-3668 for an appointment at Capital Foot Care in Takoma Park, and Riverdale, MD.