6 Tips To Protect The Health Of Your Feet With Diabetes

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout your body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371580

If you experience poor skin health or pain in your feet there are a few key things you can do to help relieve some of your symptoms and protect the health of your feet.

It is recommended to have a thorough foot exam at least once a year to prevent other complications including sores and ulcers. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for good foot care.

Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels

To protect the health of your feet, here are 6 things you can do:

Make sure you check your feet every day. - You should be on the lookout for blisters, bruises, cuts, cracked and peeling skin, redness, and swelling. If you have a hard time examining parts of your feet yourself, ask a family member or use a mirror.
Keep your feet clean and dry. - You should wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and mild soap. It is not recommended to soak your feet. Afterward, be sure to dry your feet and pay attention to drying between your toes as well.
Moisturize your feet. - This will help prevent cracking. Depending on the lotion used, it may also help treat symptoms of pain and poor circulation. For example, our K5 Diabetic Lotion is specifically formulated to relieve the stinging sensation associated with neuropathy foot pain, as well as repair and restore skin damage caused by diabetes.
Trim your toenails carefully. - You should trim your toenails straight across and file the edges down carefully to avoid sharp edges.
Wear clean, dry socks. - It’s important to look for socks made of cotton or moisture-wicking fibers that don’t have tight bands or thick seams. Our SugarSocks are non-binding and moisture-wicking. The perfect pair when caring for your feet with diabetes.
Wear cushioned shoes that fit well. - You should always wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet. Make sure your shoes fit properly and allow your toes to move. If you qualify you may be eligible to have your insurance cover the cost of a pair of shoes.

As you can see many of the suggestions are things you may already do, but tweaking how you do them or how often can make a huge difference in the health of your feet.