Tips for Diabetic Footcare

Here's some basic advice for taking care of your feet:

• Always keep your feet warm.
• Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.
• Don't put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
• Don't smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
• Don't soak your feet.
• Don't use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet.
• Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
• Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.
• Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
• Wear loose socks to bed.
• Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
• When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
• Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don't wear the same pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.
• Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.
• If you notice anything unusual with your feet, be sure to call your podiatrist ASAP. Call us at 419-423-1888

What Is Diabetes?

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, diabetes is "the inability to manufacture or properly use insulin. This impairs the body from being able to convert sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. Diabetes can have an effect on the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves, and feet.

If you have diabetes, follow these foot care tips:

• Inspect feet daily. Check your feet and toes every day for cuts, bruises, sores, or changes to the toenails, such as thickening or discoloration.
• Wear thick, soft socks. Avoid socks with seams, which could rub and cause blisters or other skin injuries.
• Exercise. Walking can keep weight down and improve circulation. Be sure to wear appropriate athletic shoes when exercising.
• Have new shoes properly measured and fitted. Foot size and shape may change over time. Shoes that fit properly are important to those with diabetes.
• Don't go barefoot. Don't go without shoes, even in your own home. The risk of cuts and infection is too great for those with diabetes.
• Never try to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself. Over-the-counter products can burn the skin and cause irreparable damage to the foot for people with diabetes.
• See a podiatrist. Regular checkups by a podiatrist—at least annually—are the best way to ensure that your feet remain healthy. Contact the Advanced Footcare Clinic at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment.

Foot Ulcers

Foot care is extremely important in caring for your diabetes.  Without proper diabetic foot care several complications can occur including skin changes, calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation and in severe cases amputation. 

'According to the American Diabetes Association and diabetes.org, Ulcers most often occur on the ball of the foot or the bottom of the big toe.  Remember, even though some ulcers do not hurt, every ulcer should be seen by your health care provider right away. Neglecting ulcers can result in infections, which in turn can lead to loss of a limb.

What your health care provider will do varies with your ulcer. Your health care provider may take x-rays of your foot to make sure the bone is not infected. The health care provider may clean out any dead and infected tissue. You may need to go into the hospital for this. Also, the health care provider may culture the wound to find out what type of infection you have, and which antibiotic will work best.

Keeping off your feet is very important. Walking on an ulcer can make it get larger and force the infection deeper into your foot. Your health care provider may put a special shoe, brace, or cast on your foot to protect it.

If your ulcer is not healing and your circulation is poor, your health care provider may need to refer you to a vascular surgeon. Good diabetes control is important. High blood glucose levels make it hard to fight infection.

After the foot ulcer heals, treat your foot carefully. Scar tissue under the healed wound will break down easily. You may need to wear special shoes after the ulcer is healed to protect this area and to prevent the ulcer from returning.'*

Be sure to inspect your feet often.  If you notice any sores or changes with your feet be sure to see your podiatrist as soon as possible.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

*source:diabetes.org

Foods with Super Powers

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you probably know how important it is to take care of yourself.  This include your feet, what you eat, and getting exercise.  The American Diabetes Association has a ton of great information on how to care for yourself if you have diabetes.  Check out this list of "Diabetes Superfoods" from diabetes.org.

• Beans - Provide you with protein and fiber
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables - Low in carbs and calories
• Citrus Fruit - Provide soluble fiber and vitamin C
• Sweet Potatoes - Vitamin A and Fiber
• Berries - Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Fiber
• Tomatoes - Iron, Vitaman C and E
• Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Try Salmon
• Whole Grains - Magnesium, Chromium, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Nuts - Great for hunger management
• Fat-free Milk and Yogurt - Calcium and Vitamin D

Work these foods into your individual diet plan and with the appropriate portions and you will get key nutrients including calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, Vitamin A, C, and E.  All of these nutrients are lacking in a typical western diet.  Remember to schedule an annual check up with your podiatrist along with eating a healthy diet.  Caring for your diabetes will help reduce the risk of developing complications associated with the disease.  Call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to schedule your check up today.

Protecting Your Feet from Diabetes: The Dos and Donts

Footcare is especially important for those with diabetes.  Check out these Dos and don'ts for caring for your diabetic feet.

Healthy Feet: The Dos

• Check your feet every day. Check your feet with a handheld mirror for sores, discoloration, or any abnormalities.
• Clean your feet daily. Wash and dry your feet thouroughly.
• Moisturize your feet. Gormel Creme can be purchased in our office.
• Wear the right socks. Wear seamless socks that won't irritate your feet or cause blisters.
• Know when to get help with foot maintenance. If you are experiencing numbness or blood flow you should get help trimming your toenails.

Healthy Feet: The Don’ts

• Don't go barefoot. Don't risk stepping on something sharp.
• Don't soak your feet in hot water.  The National Institute of Health advised thath you do not soak your feet.  However, if you do make sure it is in water less than 100 degrees.
• Don't hesitate to see the podiatrist.  If you have a wound that is slow to heal, see your podiatrist immediately.

*source:everydayhealth.com

Diabetic Foot Care and You

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation. With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can lead to a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When a wound is not healing, it is at risk for infection and infections spread quickly in diabetics.
When a diabetic foot becomes numb, it may be at risk for deformity. One way this happens is through ulcers. Small, unattended cuts become open sores, which may then become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot Foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems diabetics face. It warps the shape of the foot when bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet, because of numbness there is no pain, and the individual continues to walk on the foot. Our practice can treat diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot (pronounced "sharko") fractures using a total contact cast and prevent more serious damage or deformity. This treatment allows the ulcer to heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. For Charcot Foot, the cast controls foot movement and supports its contours. 
If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts, and nail discoloration. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

Here's some basic advice for taking care of diabetic feet:

• Always keep your feet warm.
• Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.
• Keep feet away from heat (heating pads, hot water pads, electric blankets, radiators, fireplaces). You can burn your feet without knowing it. Water temperature should be less than 92 degrees. Estimate with your elbow or bath thermometer (you can get one in any store that sells infant products).
• Don't smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
• Don't soak your feet.
• Don't use antiseptic solutions (such as iodine or salicylic acid) or over-the-counter treatments for corns or calluses.
• Don't use any tape or sticky products, such as corn plasters, on your feet. They can rip your skin.
• Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office for treatment.
• Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.
• Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
• Wear loose socks to bed.
• Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
• When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
• Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking-in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time.
• Don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe looking for foreign objects, protruding nails, or any rough spots inside before putting them on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.
• Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day and always wear socks with shoes. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops or garters.
• Never wear sandals or thongs (flip-flops) and never go barefoot, indoors or out.
• In the winter, wear warm socks and protective outer footwear. Avoid getting your feet wet in the snow and rain and avoid letting your toes get cold.
• Don't file down, remove, or shave off corns or calluses yourself.

Contact our office immediately if you experience any injury to your foot. Even a minor injury is an emergency for a patient with diabetes.

The Basic Facts about Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Care

According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million adults and children have diabetes.  That means that 8.3% of the population has diabetes. There are different types of diabetes.  Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenille diabetes, means that the body does not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common.  People who have from Type 2 diabetes do not produce an adequete amount of insulin or the body ignores it. Pregnant women may develop gestational diabetes.  Insulin is needed for the body to produce energy.  Below are a few tips for the basic care of diabetic feet. 

• Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.

• Always keep your feet warm. Try Juzo Silver Sole Sock for comfortable, compression, cushioned sole, odor elimination, and germ prevention.  You can purchase these socks through our product store. 
• Don't put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
• Don't smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
• Don't soak your feet.
• Don't use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet.
• Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
• Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.
• Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
• Wear loose socks to bed.
• Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
• When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
• Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don't wear the same pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.
• Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.

The Advanced Footcare Clinic cares about the health of our diabetic patients and the health of their feet.  If you are diabetic and need to see a doctor about your feet call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website at http://www.vailfoot.com/ for more information about diabetes and your feet.