Foot Care – Inspections And Preventive Measures: Foot care is a vital part of a diabetic’s lifestyle. Daily inspections as well as preventive measures should be explored. Information concerning these matters must not be taken lightly. If an individual does not take great care, long term damage can happen. A person may experience lasting pain, discomfort or could lose the use of their feet. The nervous and immune systems are lower in patents with diabetes. This part of the body is used more frequently than the others and is always exposed to certain elements. Infections, dryness and cuts can all lead to something more serious. This is why the need for inspections as well as understanding preventive measures is important to daily life.
Inspections
There are several key pieces of information that an individual needs to know when inspecting their feet. Not only should this part of the body be examined but socks, shoes and an individual’s surroundings should also be observed.
- Spot check. Each day, an individual should look over their feet carefully. Especially watch out for cuts, bruises, sores or redness. Check the feet for calluses, deformations and bumps. If any scratches or sores are present, allow a couple of days for them to heal. A doctor’s visit is in order if they do not heal or other problems may arise. If there is something that is alarming, seek medical advice immediately.
- Toenails. If the toenails are fairly long, it is important to trim them right away. Overgrown nails can cause cuts and damage. They can also make walking extremely difficult.
- Corns and warts. Some individuals are prone to take care of these matters themselves. However, this is not a good idea. When a person removes corns, warts or calluses themselves, damage and infections can occur. Seek a medical care provider to remove these blemishes.
Preventive Measures
There are several key points that a person can use to be protective of their feet. When the proper measures, inspections and care are taken into consideration, an individual will be more healthy and vital.
- Check shoes and socks daily. An individual must always check their shoes for rocks, nails and other objects. This needs to be preformed on the outside as well as on the inside of the shoes. With a lower feeling in a person’s foot, foreign objects can be damaging.
- Always wear socks. Socks protect the feet from mild cuts as well as dried skin. They need to be worn throughout the day, even while sleeping to gain the maximum performance.
- Correct fit for shoes as well as socks. Shoes need to fit the feet snugly and comfortable. The soles must have shock absorbent material, the kinds a person may find in athletic shoes. There are locations to find the correct style for an individual’s foot. Diabetic shoes as well as socks are available. Socks must be snug so they do not fall. However, tight elastic around the leg will cut off circulation.
- Do not soak the feet. Some individuals enjoy their feet soaked, especially after a long, hard day. Nevertheless, soaking the feet will lead to horrible dried skin. Avoid this when possible.
- Keeping the feet dry. In wet conditions, it may be difficult to keep the feet bone dry. However, when they are wet, fungus, dried skin and damage can occur. Some individual’s suggest a person wear two pairs of socks and water proof shoes when in these types of conditions. Another method is, before a person leaves the home, wrap the feet in plastic to ensure dryness throughout the day.
