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A guide to foot
care for people with diabetes
How diabetes affects your feet
People with diabetes need to take
extra care of their feet as diabetes
affects the circulation of the blood
which may result in:
- The body
being less able to fight
infection
- Cuts and
sores healing more slowly
- The skin
becoming more fragile and
therefore more easily damaged
- Cold and /or
painful feet and legs
- Ulcers
- Chilblains
Diabetes can also
reduce your ability to feel things,
especially your feet. This is called
neuropathy. This means that you may
not be able to tell how warm the
bath water is or you may not be able
to feel if you have a stone in your
shoe.
Because of these factors, people
with diabetes should follow a daily
check list which will help to
prevent problems with their feet.
Daily Check List
√
Examine your feet for any changes,
especially reddened or swollen
areas. If you have difficulty seeing
underneath your feet, perhaps a
relative would help or a hand mirror
may be useful.
√ Wash
your feet daily and dry well,
especially between the toes, taking
care not to force the toes apart too
much.
√ If the
skin is dry, apply a moisturiser. If
the skin is moist between the toes,
dab with surgical spirits.
√ Check
inside your shoes BEFORE putting
them on as you may not be able to
feel any objects which may rub and
cause a sore or an ulcer.
√ Make
sure your shoes don’t rub or catch
on any part of your foot as this
will lead to problems. Sometimes it
helps to wear socks inside out to
prevent seams rubbing.
Nail Care
The best way to care for your nails
and to avoid problems is to file
across the ends of your nails EVERY
week. Thick nails should be filed
across the thickened surface. Even
with poor eyesight you can file your
nails without damaging the skin.
Filing the nails will also prevent
sharp corners which may dig into
other toes and cause problems.
If you have problems such as redness
or pain around the nails, consult a
State Registered Chiropodist.
Corns and Hard Skin
NEVER cut corns and callus yourself
or let a well meaning friend help.
Corn plasters, paints, lotions and
pads contain acids and can be
extremely dangerous to the more
fragile skin of people who have
diabetes. These things must
not be used.
Temperature
Extremes of hot and cold must be
avoided.
Remember: you may not be able to
tell how hot or cold things really
are.
- Beware over
heated baths.
- Switch off
electric blankets and remove hot
water bottles BEFORE getting
into bed.
- Ensure
woollen bedrocks are loose
fitting.
- DO NOT sit
too close to the fire or heater.
If you are cold, wrap your feet
and legs in a blanket.
- If you do get
very cold, warm up naturally by
exercising e.g. walking around
the room or by adding extra
clothing.
Footwear
Many foot problems can be prevented
by wearing correctly fitting shoes
and hosiery. Make sure shoes have
enough length, width and depth (to
make room for any toe deformities).
Socks and stockings should also have
plenty of room.
Don’t wear
garters or anything tight around
the leg.
Don’t walk barefoot as you may
be unaware that you’ve stood on
anything sharp.
First Aid
Measures
Patients with diabetes can treat
their own minor injuries, but if
these do not respond within a few
days expert advice should be sought.
Small cuts
should be bathed in warm water
and antiseptic applied (e.g.
Savlon) and a clean dressing.
Do not prick blisters. If they
burst, treat them as a cut.
Do not apply adhesive strapping
directly over a wound. Ensure a
dry, clean dressing directly
covers the wound.
Danger signs of
unhealthy feet
Remember: you may not be aware of
problems as you may not be able to
fully appreciate pain or heat.
Take any necessary first aid
measures.
Visit the State Registered
Chiropodist or Doctor immediately if
you notice:
Any colour
change in your foot or leg.
Any discharge from a sore corn
or nail.
Any swelling or throbbing of the
foot or leg.
Taken from an information leaflet
produced by the PCT
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