Why Diabetics Should Take Extra Care of Their Feet

Diabetes takes a toll on your body, but many people don’t realize how important it is to prioritize foot health when you have this chronic disease. Here’s why it’s critical to care for your feet — and how to do it.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your health needs constant attention. With so much to manage, you might be tempted to ignore your foot health, but that would be a mistake.

Foot care should be a key part of your diabetes care plan. And if you live in or around Alexandria, Virginia, you have access to a team of specialists who can assist you. Capital Podiatry Associates, led by Leland Gilmore, DPM, and Shalin Panchigar, DPM, not only delivers comprehensive diabetic foot care during in-office visits but also teaches you how to care for your feet on your own, in between appointments.

Here’s why foot care plays such a critical role in managing diabetes, along with some important tips.

The link between diabetes and foot health

Your pancreas creates insulin, a hormone that helps glucose in your blood enter your cells throughout your body. That glucose fuels cellular activity. Diabetes disrupts this process by either limiting insulin production or making it harder for your body to use insulin properly.

This leads to a buildup of glucose in your blood and reduced cellular function. That’s why diabetes affects so many aspects of your health, including your vision, sexual health, and even your gums.

One of the major problems caused by diabetes is poor circulation. Because your feet are farthest from your heart, it makes sense that circulation problems would negatively affect your feet.

Good circulation is critical for normal healing. Without that steady blood flow, your body struggles to repair damage and fight off infection.

Another common issue for people with diabetes is impaired nerve function. Some people experience unusual tingling or burning sensations in their feet, but many also experience numbness or a total lack of sensation.

This combination of poor circulation and unreliable nerve function means that if you have diabetes, you may sustain minor foot injuries without even noticing. You might step on something sharp or develop a blister from a new pair of shoes, and have no idea.

Poor circulation can reduce your body’s ability to repair those minor issues, and a simple scrape, blister, or hangnail can develop into a more serious problem. You may not notice things are worsening because you don’t feel pain (your body’s warning sign).

Developing a great foot care routine can reduce the risk of harm

As soon as you learn you have diabetes, embracing a solid foot care routine should be at the top of your priority list. This begins with limiting damage to your skin and other soft tissues.

Wear properly fitting shoes and avoid walking barefoot if there is any chance of damaging the skin on the soles of your feet. Make it a habit to check your feet every day so you’ll know if you have a blister, scrape, or sore.

Also, wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day, including between your toes. Apply moisturizer to your feet carefully to keep the skin hydrated and healthy.

Finally, book diabetic foot care visits at Capital Podiatry Associates. Our team will clean and dress any foot wounds, check for skin damage, and trim your toenails. Your specialist can also help you decide if custom shoe orthotics might be helpful.

To set up your next visit at Capital Podiatry Associates, try our easy online booking tool or give us a call to schedule an appointment.