We all know that diabetes can be extremely dangerous to health, but did you know that it can also impact your feet? Diabetic foot pain can become unbearable, making a living your everyday life hard. But there are some treatment options available to help with the discomfort.
Diabetes & Your Feet
How does diabetes negatively impact your feet? Diabetic foot pain can range from simple to severe, and the best thing to do is visit a foot and ankle doctor in Phoenix to find out exactly what the treatment plan for your feet should be.
Diabetes can cause unwanted cuts, blisters, or soreness on the feet. These become difficult to heal and also are at higher risk of infection.
In addition, diabetes slows down the healing process due to reduced blood flow in the feet. If not treated, this can lead to nerve damage, causing numbness.
Severe enough symptoms may need complicated surgery or even amputation. If you have diabetes, pay close attention to your feet and meet with a podiatrist to properly manage your diabetic foot pain.
Ways to Help Diabetic Foot Pain and Issues
Of course, receiving foot exams often and working with your podiatrist on the right treatment plan will help diabetic foot pain, but there are things you can add to your daily life to help as well.
– Inspect your feet for anything unusual such as cuts, blisters, or swelling.
– Keep up on your personal hygiene. Bathing and keeping your feet clean can prevent sores on your feet, plus keeping any cuts or sores on your feet clean will prevent them from getting infected.
– After bathing, make sure to moisturize your feet. Keeping them moisturized can help dry feet. Just make sure to avoid between your toes since it could cause a fungal infection.
– Wear special socks that are specifically made for those with diabetic foot pain. These socks have an extra layer of cushion and have no elastic tops, so they can be worn higher up on the ankle without being bothered. The special fibers in the sock also help keep feet warm and dry.
– If your feet sweat a lot, it is a good idea to place antiperspirant on your feet.
If you have diabetes, it is important never to walk around barefoot since your feet are more prone to cuts, sores, and infections.
