The Benefits of Diabetic Foot Care

It’s important that you are doing everything you can to protect your feet against diabetic-related complications.

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? If so, you probably know just how important it is to properly care for your feet, as diabetic feet are prone to ulcers, infections, and other serious complications. It’s important to find a podiatrist who can provide you with care when you need it. This is why our Burbank, Northridge, and Santa Clarita, CA, podiatrists offer customized, gentle, and compassionate diabetic foot care, whether you simply need your toenails trimmed or you are dealing with ulcers and other issues that require immediate attention.

Diabetes and Your Feet

Those with diabetes have elevated blood sugar. If blood sugar levels remain high, either through untreated or poorly controlled diabetes, this can cause nerve damage in the feet. This is known as peripheral neuropathy. Along with nerve damage, diabetes can also lead to:

• Decreased circulation in the feet, which can cause wounds to heal slowly
• A loss of sensation in the feet, so you are more likely to develop injuries and not know it
• Ulcers and infections
• Amputation in serious cases

This is why it’s incredibly important that you are managing your diabetes through a healthy lifestyle and proper medication. If your blood sugar is still high despite your current treatment plan, it’s important that you tell your doctor right away.

Caring for Your Diabetic Feet

Along with managing your blood sugar levels, it’s important that you know how to properly care for your feet, so you don’t deal with the problems above. Here are some ways to care for your feet:

• Wash feet daily with soap and water
• Always dry feet off thoroughly after bathing or showering, especially between toes
• Get up and move around since regular exercise during the day promotes blood flow
• Wear compression stockings to improve blood flow
• Always wear shoes and socks to protect feet, even indoors
• Trim toenails properly or turn to our Burbank, Northridge, and Santa Clarita, CA, podiatrist for nail trimming and other specialized diabetic foot care
• Keep feet moisturized to prevent cracked skin, which can increase infection
• Examine feet daily for blisters, cuts, burns, discolorations, pain, calluses, and other problems that could lead to more serious problems
• Always call a podiatrist if you notice any changes in your feet

Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery is your Burbank, Northridge, and Santa Clarita, CA, practice for diabetic foot care. If you want to discuss ways to keep your feet healthy while living with diabetes, our podiatrists would be happy to help. To schedule an appointment, call (818) 848-5588.