One of the biggest problems for people with diabetes is that nerve damage in the foot makes it difficult for them to tell they’ve suffered an injury or are dealing with an open sore. Individuals with diabetes are encouraged to check their feet every day for cuts or sores and take appropriate action to avoid infection in the event a wound is discovered. Below, we take a closer look at how to perform regular diabetic foot checks so that you can spot the signs of an issue and seek treatment before things get worse.
Diabetic Foot Health
As we mentioned on the previous page, elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves in the feet, making it difficult for healthy oxygenated blood to get to a wound site and start the healing process. When wounds can’t adequately heal, infections and complications can set in, which can sometimes lead to amputation of the toes or foot.
Keeping your diabetic feet healthy is a daily chore. Here’s how you should check your diabetic feet each and every day.
- Inspect your feet daily, looking for puncture wounds, pressure areas, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts or redness near the nail.
- When inspecting your feet, look at the six major locations on the bottom of each foot; near the tip of the big toe, the base of the little toe, the base of the middle toes, the outside edge of your foot, across the ball of your foot and on the heel.
- Gently squeeze your feet to check for signs of swelling or pressure.
- Examine between each toe.
- Touch 5-6 areas of your feet to see if you can still feel sensation in different areas of your feet.
- Keep toenails at an appropriate length, and cut flat across your nail. Do not round the edges.
Performing daily foot checks is critical if you want to avoid complications, but it’s only half the battle. You also need to regularly clean your feet and commit to an overall healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and smart dietary choices. We cover how to clean your diabetic feet in the next section, and as always, if you need help managing your diabetes or any foot or ankle problems that have developed, make sure you reach out to an experienced foot and ankle specialist in your area.