Diabetes and your feet
Footcare for patients with
diabetes
Diabetes can have an effect on the blood and nerve supply,
which can lead to complications in the leg and foot. This can
slow down the healing process in the body and reduce the
sensation to pain, temperature and pressure.
Not everyone will develop these problems, but ALL people with
diabetes should follow the same rules of footcare to prevent
problems developing.
Maintaining good blood sugar and weight control is very
important, as is avoiding smoking.
LOOK AT YOUR FEET
DAILY
Your Diabetes Team will advise if you need
to see a State Registered Chiropodist
(Podiatrist).
INSPECT YOUR FEET
DAILY
-
Look especially in between your toes and around your
heels
-
If you cannot manage to bend, ask a friend or
relative to help, or put a mirror on the
ground.
-
Be aware of any cuts or anything
unusual.
-
Tell your Chiropodist (podiatrist) or one of your
Diabetes team about any changes in your
feet.
INSPECT YOUR FOOTWEAR
-
Are there any rough seams or small objects caught
in the shoe?
-
Do these shoes still have
the same support
-
Are the soles still thick enough to protect your
feet?
PAY ATTENTION TO
HYGIENE
-
Wash feet daily with warm water and mild toilet
soap.
-
Dry thoroughly, especially in between your toes.
Separate toes
carefully.
-
Use only a light dusting of talcum
powder.
-
Change hosiery
daily
LOOK AFTER DRY SKIN
-
Apply a moisturising cream after washing to help
keep skin supple and avoid cracking, but take care
not to put cream between your
toes.
-
Avoid using corn or hard
skin remedies
LOOK OUT FOR MOIST
SKIN
-
This is found mostly in between the toes and may
lead to ‘Athlete’s
Foot’.
-
If athlete’s foot occurs, ask the chemist or your
GP for advice on how to treat
this.
NAIL CARE
-
Only attempt to cut your nails if you can see and
reach your feet quite easily. Trim nails straight
across, not too short, and file any rough
edges.
-
If you are unsure or have any difficulties, contact
your Chiropody (Podiatry)
Department.
-
Never poke down the edges or try to cure in-grown
toenails
yourself.
DEALING WITH CUTS
-
Breaks in the skin should be bathed in warm water
and a very dilute antiseptic solution. Cover with a
dry sterile dressing.
-
If there is swelling, redness, throbbing pain or
pus, consult your Chiropodist (Podiatrist), GP,
Practice Nurse or Diabetes Clinic
immediately.
-
Do not burst blisters but seek
help.
FOOTWEAR
-
Always ask for your feet to be
measured.
-
Wear a well fitting shoe, with soft
uppers
-
Always watch the depth and width and allow plenty
room for your toes.
-
Watch the seams around the shoes; they may rub your
toes and allow corns to
develop.
-
Slippers should be worn for short periods only.
They give no support or
protection.
-
If you have any loss of sensation in your feet, try
to avoid sandals as they provide no
protection.
-
Do not wear garters and make sure socks and
stockings are big enough, especially bed
socks.
-
Always look inside your shoes
before putting them on to check that the seams are
even and that nothing has fallen
inside.
PREVENTING
ULCERS
Diabetes can affect the nerves to your feet
causing numbness and loss of pain sensation. This means
that you may be unaware of an injury or an ulcer
forming.
You may also have a change in the shape of
your feet which means that you are much more likely to
develop blisters or ulcers.
Good control of your diabetes can help
prevent ulcers.
If you have had a previous ulcer or have
problems with the nerves or blood supply to you feet,
your Diabetes Team may advise you to see a State
Registered Chiropodist
If you develop any ulcers, cuts, blisters
or ingrown toenails, contact your nurse or GP
immediately.
DO NOT
-
Use a razor or any corn remedies on your
feet.
-
Wear
poorly fitting shoes
-
Go
barefoot
-
Sit
too near heaters or use a hot water bottle to
heat your feet up
quickly.
-
Add
cold water to the bath first, then hot
water.
-
Check
the temperature of the water with your elbow
before bathing your
feet.
-
Switch
off electric blankets and remove hot water
bottles before going to
bed.
-
Follow
all of this advice and get your feet checked
regularly.
HOLIDAY FOOTCARE
Going on holiday can cause foot problems,
so follow these simple precautions to ensure a
trouble-free time.
THE JOURNEY
Long journeys on trains, buses and planes
can make your feet swell. Walk up and down the aisle
every half hour - the exercise will help keep the
swelling down. Make sure your shoes don’t become too
tight - take a pair of loose sandals for the
journey.
FOOTWEAR
If you normally wear hospital supplied
shoes, then wear them on holiday too. Remember that
changing over to ordinary shoes could cause an ulcer -
and ruin your holiday.
Avoid walking barefoot. On the beach, and
in the sea, wear plastic sandals.
SUNBURN
Avoid sunburn to your feet and legs. Use a
sun screen with a high protection factor - or keep
covered.
FOOT CARE
If your skin gets very dry in the hot
weather, you may need to apply more moisturising cream,
such as E45, than usual. Pay special attention to your
heels - dry skin here cracks easily.
FIRST AID
Take small sterile dressings, antiseptic
and micropore on holiday. Clean any small blisters, cuts
or grazes with diluted antiseptic and tape in a dry
dressing.
FOOT CHECK
Examine your feet daily for sores, swelling
and colour changes. If any of these problems develop,
then visit the local state registered
chiropodist.
Remember: delays in seeking treatment may
make foot problems worse. Seek early treatment for
all holiday foot problems.
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