Diabetic Foot Care – 8 Key Preventative Tips that will really help
June 19, 2010 by Foot Health
Filed under Foot Care Tips
Diabetics frequently suffer from foot problems such as athlete’s foot, neuropathy, numbness, cold feet ulceration, calluses and corns. Prevention is key when dealing with diabetic feet. Here are 8 basic tips to remember and apply to promote healthy diabetic free feet.
1. Inspect your feet daily for developing corns, calluses, blisters, or anything unusual e.g. changes in color, swelling, pain, or sores that prove slow to heal. Treat minor corns and calluses immediately to prevent further development.
2. Check your shoes to ensure a proper fit and avoid patterns of over wear and replace as necessary. Shoes should never be too tight or too short, since this could further impair circulation. Never wear high heels or open toed sandals.
3. Instigate a daily regime of washing your feet with a mild soap and warm water.. make sure that you completely dry between your toes. Odd though it sounds using a blow dryer on the lowest setting dies a great job of drying your feet. This proves especially useful if your feet are somewhat tender and rubbing with a towel would cause discomfort. Remember also to dust with powder to keep perspiration in check.
4. Don’t go barefoot – make sure that you always wear shoes and loose seamless socks to avoid irritation.
5. Keep your feet soft by applying a thick cream every night.
6. If you smoke then quit! Smoking will contribute to poor circulation and poorer general health.
7. Maintain a well-balanced, high fibre, low fat diet. You will look and feel so much better.
8. Finally, make exercise a daily habit. Walking in particular is a great method that will promote healthy feet.
Whilst prevention is always preferable do recognize when you need to engage the expertise of a professional. Use the above tips to prevent diabetic feet but if you subsequently experience foot ailments then visit a foot specialist.
Diabetic feet affects many adults causing much discomfort and distress, but be reassured there is much that you can do to help yourself. For more essential advice, information and resources regarding foot problems and the management of sore feet check out http://www.sorefeetsolved.com.