Tips for Protecting Feet with Diabetes

At Connecticut Foot Care Centers, we know that patients who have diabetes are open to a slew of podiatric problems. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common condition associated with diabetes which can decrease your ability to sense pain, burning or other signs of foot injuries and disorders. Sweat secretion and normal oil production can also be impaired, leaving the skin on your feet very dry and resulting in abnormal pressure on bones and joints. Wounds and ulcers are more likely to form and decreased the functioning of the immune system, also common in diabetic patients, which means that it is harder to heal and the chances of infection and even amputation are increased.

Fortunately, there are ways for patients to reduce their risk of diabetic complications. These include:

• Schedule regular checkups with our podiatrists Jeffrey S. Kahn, D.P.M., Craig M. Kaufman, D.P.M., Ayman M. Latif, D.P.M. or Raffaella R. Pascarella, D.P.M. every six months. Teaming up with your podiatrist to help manage the effects of diabetes on your feet can significantly reduce your risk of hospitalization and amputation. 
• Practice good daily hygiene. Wash your feet with warm (not hot) water and soap every day. Dry completely—especially between your toes because that’s where athlete’s foot often first develops. Use a foot powder in the morning on your feet and a rich moisturizer at night.
• Choose footwear wisely. Socks should have no seams, be thick and absorbent and made of a material that wicks moisture away from your skin. Shoes and boots should have roomy toe boxes, low heels and a cushioned insole for maximum protection. Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to check for loose stitching or rough patches that may cause blisters.
• Get in the habit of inspecting your feet daily. Look for cuts, blisters, bruises, swelling, redness, rashes, growths or lumps. Run the eraser end of a pencil over the entire foot to see if you detect any decrease in sensation in any part of your foot. Make an appointment at one of our six Hartford and Middlesex County offices to get any concerning symptoms evaluated promptly.