For people with diabetes, foot care is crucial for their health. If a person with diabetes does not have their feet properly cared for, they can face problems such as infections and ulcers. And that’s when it becomes time to call a podiatrist or visit your local pharmacy.
As you may know, some simple changes in foot care can go a long way in preventing these problems. The best thing you can do before bed is to remove your socks and use a soft pumice stone or a scrub brush to massage your feet. Doing this daily will help you prevent common problems such as foot odor. This will help reduce or prevent infections and keep your feet soft and smooth.
How can people with diabetes take better care of their feet? Here are some tips from experts in the field:
Change Your Shoes Often – Shoe manufacturers have come out with shoes for people with diabetes. One of the common problems in foot care is odor. Changing shoes often will help prevent this problem. If a shoe is starting to smell, then it’s time to toss them out and get another pair.
Wash Your Feet Daily – Washing feet regularly will help keep your feet healthy and clean. This is especially important if they are prone to being sweaty or calloused. Bathe with soap, then dry them completely. Keep a pumice stone or scrub brush with you at all times so that you can wash your feet before bed. You should also always wear socks when you’re wearing shoes. This will help keep your feet dry and warm.
Take Scrubs or Pumice Stones – If you have diabetes and are prone to callouses or even ulcers, then break out the pumice stone or scrub brush. You should wash your feet once a week and scrub them daily. This will help prevent infections and other problems.
Use Foot Soak Every Night – People with diabetes are at risk for fungal infections due to dry skin; it’s important always to use a foot soak every night. The soak will keep your feet moist and reduce the risk of infections. It can also help you fight against the athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.
Exercise – Regular exercise will help prevent flaccid foot muscles, which are possible with advanced diabetes. This is very important in the prevention of infections and ulcers.
Wear Ventilated Shoes – Tight shoes can make calluses worse, producing blisters and reducing blood flow to your feet. To protect your feet from blisters, wear breathable and ventilated shoes. This can be as simple as a pair of sandals or as expensive as a pair of Crocs.
Learn About Diabetic Shoes – If you have diabetes, you’ll probably spend a lot of time in the sun. Sun exposure can cause skin damage, so you may want to ensure that your footwear is made with diabetic-friendly materials.
Start a Foot Care Plan – Diabetics should start a foot care plan. Start by washing your feet, getting rid of sweaty shoes, and taking a foot soak every night. After you’ve healed from infection and have had time to let your calluses soften up, you can start taking daily care of your feet. This will help prevent infections and other problems in the future.