Your feet provide you with the freedom to move any way you want and do whatever you want. As such, it’s important to protect your feet and to care for them to the best of your ability. Having healthy feet is an integral part of ensuring that your body is well and of course, foot health is especially vital for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Below, we will discuss six responsible ways that you can adequately care for your feet and ensure that they remain in good health for many years to come!
1. Cleanse Your Feet Daily
People with diabetes especially run the risk of skin desensitization in their feet, which is why it’s important to avoid water that’s too hot or too cold. Feet should always get washed in lukewarm water with either a soft sponge or washcloth and gentle cleansing soap. Before wearing socks or shoes, it’s important to thoroughly dry your feet.
Socks are another problem many diabetics are faced with. If your socks are too tight around your calves or ankles, it can cause circulation problems and also irritation. Meanwhile, socks manufactured from synthetic fibers can cause excessive sweat buildup on your feet! Diabetics should make it a point to especially pay attention to the kind of socks they wear. In fact, there are many socks out there constructed for diabetics specifically.
2. Regularly Check Your Feet
Diabetics often lose sensitivity in their feet, and that means regular inspections are in order. Always check your feet for signs of irritation, redness, blisters, cuts or cracked skin. If you have trouble seeing the bottom of your feet, make sure to use a mirror with magnifying power. Should you notice anything out of the ordinary, make sure to speak to your primary care provider as many conditions are diagnosed this way in diabetics.
3. Regularly Trim Nails
It’s important to carefully trim toenails as they’re easily ingrown and lead to sores or infections. Try your best to cut your nails straight across and file the edges, but if you’re not trusting of your own skills, consider visiting a podiatrist. Some may even consider using the services of a salon, and if that’s the case for you, let them know you’re diabetic and your toenails shouldn’t get cut too short.
4. Choose Footwear Wisely
As a diabetic, it’s crucial to select properly fitted footwear for your needs like Dunham Shoes. Shoes that are too small can cause painful blisters and bruising that may eventually lead to infection. To protect your feet from common ailments, choose footwear with proper cushioning and ankle support.
You can get the opinion of a physical therapist to help you find properly fitted shoes for your needs. This may mean shoes for hiking, sports or even work. It is also possible to purchase best custom orthotics inserts for extra support.
5. Moisturize At Night
To prevent cracking and peeling skin, make sure to moisturize your feet at nighttime. Avoid putting any lotion between your toes and choose a lotion formula specially formulated for diabetics.
6. Keep Your Blood Sugar In Check
High blood sugar levels can cause irreversible damage to your feet in the form of nerve damage and loss of sensation. In addition, having poor blood flow can also make it harder for your feet to heal from injury or to resist potential infections.
Maintaining proper blood sugar levels are possible with the aid of exercise and ideal nutrition. Of course, even those that don’t suffer from diabetes can significantly improve their health and overall well-being for the future by opting to get the right amount of exercise. Plus, staying physically active can help prevent certain health conditions from progressing or forming in your later years.
A physical therapist is an indispensable source of information for diabetics. Your therapist can work with you to create an exercise regimen that you can stick to while targeting all of your potential problem areas. Regardless of what your goals and needs are, your therapist can help cater exercise to your lifestyle and help you manage chronic conditions.
Physical therapists have many years of experience in the medical industry and they can help you ensure that your feet are perfectly healthy. By helping build strength, endurance, and mobility, therapists aid diabetics in living a full and healthy life.
