nerve damage Archives - New England Podiatry

Diabetes affects your entire body, but unfortunately, your feet are particularly vulnerable. The consequences of neglect are severe: According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, diabetic foot ulcers precede roughly half of all lower-limb amputations in people with diabetes.

New England Podiatry Associates is here to help! With proper care and proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of complications, and we’ve got a handy list of do’s and don’ts to get you started below.

THE DO’S

DO Prioritize Daily Foot Checks: Inspect your feet thoroughly every day for cuts, blisters, swelling, discoloration, or changes in nail health. Use a mirror for hard-to-reach areas.
DO Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can contribute to nerve damage and circulation problems in your feet.
DO Wash and Moisturize!: Use lukewarm water and mild soap to cleanse your feet, then dry them thoroughly. Keep everything moisturized to prevent dry, cracked skin, a potential entry point for infections. Avoid excess moisture between the toes: It could lead to fungal infections.
DO Wear Proper Shoes: Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes with good arch support and breathable materials to reduce friction and pressure points, preventing the formation of calluses, blisters, and ulcers.
DO Schedule Regular Podiatric Exams: Your podiatrist can assess circulation, nerve function, and overall foot health, recommending appropriate treatment plans if necessary. The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetic foot exams at least once a year.

THE DON’TS

DON’T Ignore Foot Pain or Changes: Never downplay any pain, numbness, tingling, or changes in appearance in your feet. These could be early signs of a developing problem.
DON’T Walk Barefoot: Even indoors, walking barefoot increases your risk of injury from sharp objects or burns from hot surfaces. Always wear shoes or slippers at home.
DON’T Use Over-the-Counter Corn Removers: These products can irritate the skin and worsen existing problems.
DON’T Smoke: Smoking significantly restricts blood flow, hindering healing and increasing the risk of complications in diabetic feet.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Joshua Ouellette, and Dr. Zachary Sax are always pleased to assist. We offer convenient locations in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280 to schedule an appointment today.

What You Should Know About Diabetic Foot Care

The Risk of Diabetes

Both nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood circulation can cause loss of feeling in your feet. This may take away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, making it difficult to detect an injury. Poor circulation in your feet also reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

Having diabetes puts you at risk for developing a wide range of foot problems, such as:

Infections and ulcers that don’t heal. Because of poor circulation in the feet, cuts or blisters can quickly become ulcers that become infected and won’t heal.

Corns and calluses– When neuropathy is present, you can’t tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses.

Dry, cracked skin – Poor circulation can dry your skin, resulting in cracks that may become sores.

Ingrown toenails

Fungal infections

Hammertoes and bunions

What You Can Do

Luckily, you can do a variety of things to decrease the risk of developing serious complications from diabetes. You play a vital role in reducing complications. Here are some tips:

Inspect your feet daily.

Pay attention to the color of your feet and toes. If they turn red, pink, or purplish, poor circulation may be a problem.

Don’t ignore foot or leg pain.

Keep floors free of sharp objects. With reduced sensitivity, you may not notice any inflicted wounds or cuts on your feet.

Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes indoors and outdoors.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Joshua Ouellette, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various foot and ankle conditions. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.