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Problems: Tips for Patients
- Wash feet daily with soap and dry them carefully, especially
between the toes. Make sure water temperature is not too
hot by first testing the water with your elbow. Heat can
cause a serious burn, especially if sensation is diminished
or absent. - Inspect feet daily for signs of broken skin, such as cuts,
blisters, or scratches. Use a mirror if you are unable to
access your feet. - Be sure your feet are properly measured for fit before
every new shoe purchase. It may be erroneous to assume
that shoes fit well, especially if you have diminished
sensation in the feet. Shoes should have a high, wide
toebox and preferably be made of leather. If a traced
outline of your foot needs to be folded or crushed
to fit into your shoe, the shoe is too small. - Wear white cotton socks. They facilitate early detection of
bleeding or drainage and absorb perspiration better than
synthetics. - Always wear shoes with socks, even around the house.
Keep the floors clean and check shoes for foreign objects
before putting them on. Never go outdoors barefoot. Hot
pavement can cause full-thickness burns on the bottoms of
the feet, and sharp objects or rough surfaces can cause
cuts, blisters, and other injuries. - Do not use over-the-counter corn and callus removers;
they often contain chemicals that burn the skin. Have a foot
specialist care for your toenails, corns, and calluses, unless
directed otherwise by your physician. - Keep blood glucose controlled according to current
guidelines. - Do not smoke.
count? This is not the first
problem this person has
had with his feet.
don't take care of your feet or control your diabetes. In June of 2005 I got diagnosed with diabetes and I've read
the literature. None of the literature really tells patients what can happen (like the picture above). There's a lot
of other complications of uncontrolled diabetes, for example blindness, which defies photography. Try picturing
this website in the dark and you've got a good approximation. I put an "electronic bandage" over the ulcer so
those who are real sensitive don't pass out or don't read the article. Please take care of your diabetes and your
feet. No matter how bad your feet may hurt, I'm sure you don't want them to get worse.
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