Proper Foot Care May Prevent Diabetic Complications

Proper Foot Care May Prevent Diabetic Complications
By Dr. David Zuckerman, D.P.M.

Each year 60, 000 Americans discover they have diabetes, and tens of thousands more have the disease without knowing it. If they aren't diagnosed and treated some may be among the nearly 15,000 people with diabetes who this year will undergo foot, toe or leg amputations.

Vascular disease, which impairs blood circulation to the limbs, is the major complication of diabetes. Because the feet are farthest from the heart and often lack sufficient blood supply to heal wounds and fight infection, the most devastating complications are often discovered there.

Examples of toe and foot ulcers caused
by Diabetic Neuropathy

The patient was completely unaware of the ulcer. They couldn't feel any pain. This is why Diabetisc need to be seen by a Podiatrist four times per year. The last picture is an after treatment of toe ulcer two weeks later. This shows how toes can be saved with the care of a foot specialist

Even the most trivial injury - such as stepping on a tack or stubbing a toe - can, if untreated, lead to amputation and even death to diabetics. But they often neglect foot injuries, even scalds, burns and frostbite, because diabetes attacks the insulation surrounding nerve endings and short circuits a patient's ability to feel pain or heat.

A podiatrist is often the first health practitioner to diagnose diabetes. A patient might schedule an appointment to question me about a bump on his foot, and I discover he is walking on a fractured bone. Another person might want a bunion treated, and I find she has a needle in her foot and no idea how it got there. Whenever I see a patient who fails to notice injuries that are normally painful, I suspect diabetes.

Cold feet, corns, callouses, toenail, fungus or cellulitis - a potentially fatal bacterial infection - may also indicate diabetes. People with diabetes often complain of burning feet or toes, similar to athlete's foot, as well as fatigue or pain in the calf or buttocks after walking a short distance.

Unless their feet hurt, people are inclined to ignore them and as a result, feet are the body's most abused, neglected and unexamined part. But the foot mirrors disease, especially diabetes, and regular preventive foot care - about every two months - can detect or prevent serious complications. Between visits, take good care of your feet at home:
Inspect your feet daily, especially between the toes, and report problems to your podiatrist or physician. Patients with diabetes should inspect their feet for redness, swelling or irritation after any activity, such as shopping or exercise.

Wash your feet daily. Test the water temperature before stepping into it. Dry your feet well, but pat, don't rub. Wear clean socks that have no seams or mends to irritate the skin.

Never go barefoot. Always wear well-fitting shoes or slippers. Ill-fitting shoes can cause irritation and injury. Take new shoes home and wear them for an hour and inspect your feet. If you see any redness or indentations, return the shoes.

Take extreme care in trimming toenails or let your podiatrist do it. People with diabetes should never cut toenails without first having a podiatric examination. Diabetic care including toenail cutting, is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans.

Avoid heating pads or electric blankets. Diabetic patients may not detect when they are too hot and suffer serious burns. Wear socks to keep your feet warm.

Never attempt to remove a corn, callous or ingrown toenail. They often conceal abscesses and infection.

Avoid girdles, garters tight pantyhose and socks with elastic tops.
Don't smoke! Smoking narrows blood vessels and decreases circulation.

This is a reprint from the Pulse Section of the Courier Post.

email: info@thefootspecialist.com

David Zuckerman DPM
The Foot Specialist, P.C.
341 S. Evergreen Ave.
Woodbury, NJ 08096

Telephone: (856) 848-3338
Fax: (856) 848-5122