People with diabetes are prone to many foot problems. When you have diabetes, being aware of how foot problems can arise from disturbances in the skin, nails, nerves, bones, muscles, and blood vessels is essential. Furthermore, in diabetics, small foot problems can turn into serious complications. Let’s look at what you need to know to manage this condition for healthy feet.
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.