Are You Diabetic? Things You Should Do To Avoid Foot Ulcers
If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to take good care of your feet to avoid severe medical procedures like amputations in the future. This is because diabetes elevates the chances of suffering from necrosis. Necrosis is a condition in which there is low blood flow to the lower extremities of the body such as your feet. The low blood supply is accompanied by nerve damage that affects the sensitivity of the tissues in the lower extremity. Essentially, a wound can develop and escalate without you noticing or feeling any pain because of the dysfunctional nerves. To avoid this, here are some things you can do to prevent foot ulcers and their effects:
Clean and Moisturise our Feet
You should wash your feet regularly using lukewarm water and mild soap. Lukewarm water is efficient at melting away greases and oils that may have accumulated on your feet' skin. After washing, wipe the feet gently with a towel and be sure to dry between your toes. By keeping your feet dry, you reduce the chances of developing athlete's foot, a disease characterised by ulcerations on your feet. If your feet are naturally sweaty, sprinkle some talcum powder especially between the toes to keep the skin dry at all times. Finish off by applying a thin layer of moisturiser on your feet to keep off blisters.
Check Your Feet and Go for Regular Check-ups
Considering that you are less conscious of the pain in your extremities, a thorough inspection of your feet is necessary at least before cleaning them. If possible, someone should assist you to examine the sole and the lower section of your toes for any developing wounds, cuts and blisters. Besides physical inspections, schedule regular appointments with your podiatrist for an assessment of blood circulation in your feet. In this way, therapeutic measures can be taken in good time to address the circulation issues.
Select Appropriate Footwear
Friction between the feet and footwear can lead to blisters and ulceration. Shoes should fit you well to stop the fabric from constantly rubbing against your feet's skin. If one foot is bigger than the other one, select your shoe size according to the fitting of the bigger foot. Furthermore, go for rubber-soled shoes that work better at absorbing shock when you are walking, unlike stiff plastic soles. Alternatively, you can get a pair of customised orthopaedic shoes designed to fit the shape, size and contours of your feet.