Foot Problems in Diabetics

Foot problems in diabetics are mainly no different to those experienced by people without diabetes. The danger though, is that they are often ignored for too long and then cause serious complications.

Most of us don't suspect that something like a common blister caused by new shoes needs a doctor's visit. But a diabetic should take excessive care of that blister and see his healthcare provider if it doesn't heal quickly.

Generally, any calluses, corns, bunions, hammertoes, Planter's warts and ingrown toenails should be carefully cosseted. Any excessive pressure caused by them or put on them could not only be uncomfortable, but could lead to further complications.

Even more severe complications can result from broken skin, simply because any broken skin gives infections the chance to set in and, as most diabetics know, infections can be far more difficult to cure in them than in people who are not diabetic.

Fungal infections of the toes or nails, athletes' foot, blisters, dry, cracked skin or foot ulcers are all dangers which can exacerbate sharply in no time at all. If you have poor circulation in your legs and feet, tissue can die, causing gangrene. Where gangrene occurs, amputations often follow.

Sadly, over half the amputations done due to diabetic negligence, could be avoided if the sufferer in question had only looked after his feet properly.

Another condition common among diabetics is diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage, which can affect your pain threshold. If you don't feel pain and don't check your feet regularly, you may fail to react before severity escalates.

It is gangrene that causes diabetics to need amputations; a really good reason to see a podiatrist from time to time.

Badly controlled diabetes can also result in diabetic neuropathy, which damages the nerves. This affects your ability to feel cuts or sores on your feet or hands and means diabetics often don't

react quickly enough to sores that don't heal. A tingling numbness can be an indicator.

Can diabetic foot problems be prevented?

Check your feet daily for any abnormalities and see your healthcare practitioner if you have any cuts, blisters or cracks that won't heal. Use non-perfumed anti-bacterial cream, moisturising soaps and lotions lavishly to keep skin moisturised and nourished all over your body.

But most of all, remember that foot problems in diabetics are exacerbated by blood-sugar levels that through bad eating habits, are often allowed to rise too high.

Moira (Mo) Haarhoff is a researcher/writer/editor/proof reader.

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