Diabetes can cause poor circulation and numbness in your feet, which means diabetic foot problems are common. If you have diabetes, the podiatry team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center offers routine care of your feet to help prevent conditions like diabetic ulcers. To arrange a diabetic foot check or discuss any problems with your feet, call the practice's office in Shenandoah, Sugarland, or Humble, Texas, or book an appointment online today.
Diabetes can make you vulnerable to numerous foot problems, such as corns and calluses, dry, cracked skin, and fungal infections.
However, the most serious diabetic foot conditions are open wounds (ulcers) and the resulting infections. Diabetic foot problems are due to common complications of diabetes, namely:
Peripheral neuropathy is a form of nerve damage, which in this case causes numbness in your feet. Because you can't feel pain or discomfort, you might be unaware that you have an injury or a problem like ingrown toenails.
Diabetes damages your vascular system, affecting blood flow to your legs and feet. Injuries take longer to mend without a good blood supply to bring oxygen, nutrients, and healing cells to your feet.
The combination of numbness and poor circulation makes it harder for wounds to heal, resulting in ulcer formation and, in many cases, infection of the exposed tissues.
Patients with diabetes need to attend regular checkups with the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center. They check your feet for injuries and problems like corns or athlete’s feet and treat them accordingly. They can also cut your toenails and assess your feet for reduced circulation.
You should inspect your feet daily for cuts, redness, swelling, fungal infections, and nail problems. Gently wash your feet in lukewarm water, and dry them carefully. Apply moisturizer to dry or itchy skin but don't put it between your toes as the moistness might encourage athlete's foot.
Wear clean socks every day but avoid those with tight elastic, which can hamper circulation. Don't go barefoot; always wear something on your feet to avoid injuring them.
Most importantly, you should work closely with your primary care physician or endocrinologist to manage your diabetes effectively and reduce the risk of complications.
If you develop a diabetic ulcer, the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center offers expert wound care services. They might perform a soft tissue biopsy, taking a small sample for examination.
The team can treat any infection and help the ulcer to heal, so you avoid the prospect of undergoing the amputation of a badly infected limb.
The team prescribes antibiotics or antifungals to treat other infections and provides effective therapies for common problems like bunions and corns. They also fit specialized diabetic shoes.
Correct management of your feet when you have diabetes can keep you active and pain-free for many years. To ensure you receive the best possible diabetic foot care, call Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center to schedule your checkup or book an appointment online today.
