Diabetes: Tips on leg and foot care to avoid complications

It is important that diabetes sufferers be aware of the possible risks that may affect their overall health, beginning with the feet and legs. To be well informed is to be well prepared. Once you know more about the possible consequence of diabetes, you can come up with the necessary action plan to prevent the consequence from becoming a reality. The following paragraphs will provide the necessary tips to diabetes sufferers on how to take extra special care of their feet and legs. At most, the diabetes sufferer can at least delay the onset of serious damages. The tips here are obtained from what I have read as well as what I myself have experienced first-hand. I hope it serves you well too.

Inspect your feet and legs at least once per day. You can do it in the evening or in the morning. Make it a daily affair until it becomes habitual. Watch out for any discoloration on your legs and feet. Press the edges of your feet to ensure that you can feel them. Next, check for cuts or wounds, no matter how small it may be. Heel cracks need to be attended to. Use a suitable heel cream to smoothen the cracks as well as for the legs. You will need to moisturize it daily. Diabetics tend to have dry skin and may become scaly. A good cream moisturizer should be able to help smoothen the skin. A diabetic should also remember never to use the cream in-between the toes. Should you discover any problem on your feet or leg, have it examine by a medical doctor as soon as possible. For myself, I used 2 different types of cream, one for the heel and the other for my legs. Note that the cream that you buy must specifically state the purpose, that is, if it is for the heel; look for a cream meant for the heel. The reason for this is that the sole of the feet and the heel are much tougher than that of the skin on the legs. This mean that the cream used for the sole and heel should have stronger properties, and it should not be applied to the skin of the legs.

Look out for growth such as corns and calluses. Do not try to cut it off. Attempts to remove it may give rise to infections that could spread to other parts of the feet and legs. Also, do not self-medicate. It is better to consult a medical doctor. Even if there is some loose skin on the feet or legs, do not peel it off. I remembered that in my younger days, when I have a corn that grew near to my sole, I would use a corn plaster to remove it. Now, I would not do this. I would seek a doctor’s advise on the best possible way to remove it. I’m afraid that should I remove it myself, the wound might not heal. This could lead to complications and if it could not be cured, the possibility of having my leg amputated is very high.

Is there any pain in your feet or legs? Check that there is no swelling. Also, check that no sores or blisters have developed. If the pain continues without any sign of improvement, a diabetes sufferer should consult a medical doctor. I am more aware nowadays with what my feet and legs are saying to me

To ensure that your feet and legs are taken care of, always wash in warm water. Do not use hot water, as it may cause complication. Make sure that the diabetic sufferer feet are always well taken care of and clean off all dirt. Do not soak the diabetic feet in water. Just rinsing it should be sufficient. Thereafter, dry the feet thoroughly especially in-between the toes. Failure to take care of the space in-between the toes could possibly lead to bacteria breeding and that may result in infection if it is not clean properly.

Diabetes sufferer will have to remember to trim their toenails. Do not trim it too short as it might cause problem. Previously, I have the habit of cutting my toenails as short as possible. Sometimes, I may even draw blood in the process of cutting my nails. Also, it is not advisable to cut the nails into a rounded edge as it will encourage in-grown toenail. A doctor once told me that should there be in-grown toenails, they might have to do surgery on the toe to remove the nail in the affected toe.

The last tip here is that to protect the feet, a diabetes sufferer should never walk barefooted. Always wear a pair of shoes that covers the toes as well as the whole feet. Make sure that the shoes are a comfortable fit and is not too small that it crimps your feet or too large that there is no grip. You will need to wear a pair of well-padded socks. Avoid wearing sandals, especially those with an open front, as it will expose your feet. You may inevitably kick something while walking about in a pair of sandals and might injure your toes or other parts of your feet. So it is better to be safe than sorry by wearing shoes and socks for better protection.