Diabetic foot patients how to care for their feet

Diabetes has become the number one chronic disease in the world today, and foot ulcers in diabetic patients are one of the common complications. Foot ulcers can cause severe pain, infection, and risk of amputation, making effective foot care a must.

The occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers is related to many factors, including vascular disease, neurological disease, foot infection, and trauma. For people with diabetes, it's important to check your feet regularly and keep them clean and dry.

Why are diabetics prone to foot ulcers?

Mainly for the following reasons:

Neuropathy: People with diabetes often suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which causes loss or weakening of sensation in the feet, making it difficult for the patient to perceive damage or pain in the feet. This increases the risk of foot ulcers several-fold.

Vascular disease: People with diabetes often suffer from vascular disease, which causes the blood vessels in the feet to narrow or block, reducing the blood supply to the feet. With this condition, the foot becomes vulnerable to injury and infection, which can lead to ulcers.

Infections: Diabetics have relatively low immunity and are therefore susceptible to infections. During the process of foot ulcers, pathogens such as bacteria and fungi are more likely to invade, leading to increased infection and inflammation.

Other conditions such as athlete's foot: People with diabetes have an affected immune system, making them susceptible to fungal diseases such as athlete's foot. These conditions cause damage to the skin and tissue of the feet, increasing the risk of foot ulcers.

In summary, diabetic patients are prone to foot ulcers due to other diseases such as neuropathy, vascular disease, infection, and tinea pedis. Therefore, people with diabetes should take special care to protect their feet by having regular foot exams to detect and treat any underlying problems early to reduce the risk of foot ulcers.

How to prevent diabetic foot ulcers?

Control blood sugar levels: The higher the blood sugar levels, the greater the risk of foot ulcers. Therefore, diabetic patients should monitor blood sugar regularly and follow the doctor's advice for hypoglycemic treatment.

Keep feet clean and dry: People with diabetes should wash their feet daily with warm water and soap, and be sure to dry them. Soften your feet before washing them and avoid using hot water or harsh chemicals.

Avoid walking barefoot: People with diabetes may be more likely to injure their feet than normal people, so they should avoid walking barefoot on rough surfaces, such as sand, rocks, or concrete.

Wear the right shoes: Choose shoes that are the right size and comfortable, and avoid shoes that are too tight or too large. At the same time, shoes should be replaced regularly to avoid aging or wearing shoes.

Trim nails regularly: People with diabetes should trim their nails regularly and avoid long or ragged nails that can get lodged in the toes and lead to infection.

Seek early treatment: People with diabetes should seek medical help as soon as possible if they notice any abnormalities in their feet, such as pain, sores, infection, or redness so that they can be diagnosed and treated.

In short, diabetic patients should maintain good foot hygiene habits, avoid walking barefoot, choose the appropriate size and comfortable shoes, trim nails regularly, and seek medical treatment for foot problems in time to reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers.

If you are at risk for diabetic foot ulcers, here are some foot care tips:

Soak your feet daily with warm water and mild soap, rather than hot or overheated water. A foot soak cleanses the feet and relieves tired and sore feet.

Use a soft towel to dry your feet gently, but don't rub the skin. If you have edema or bruising on your feet, use a warm water bath to reduce swelling.

Apply a foot moisturizer or lotion to keep the skin on your feet healthy and supple. Dry and cracked skin is common in people with diabetes, so using a moisturizer can help reduce these symptoms.

Make sure your feet are not injured or infected. If you have cuts or swelling on your feet, seek medical attention promptly and follow your doctor's treatment advice.

Avoid shoes and socks that are too tight or uncomfortable. Diabetics often experience poor foot sensation, so wearing the right shoes and socks can reduce foot pain and discomfort.

Be mindful of your diet and exercise. Diabetics should pay attention to diet control and exercise to improve blood circulation and control weight. These steps can help reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers.

In summary, foot care with diabetic foot ulcers is very important, and it is crucial for diabetic patients to maintain foot health and prevent ulcers. If you are at any risk of diabetic foot ulcers, seek medical help early and follow your doctor's advice for effective foot care.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: April 18, 2023