Diabetes and Feet

Show Your Feet Some Love

People with diabetes are at a high risk for developing artery disease, which results in a lack of blood flow to their feet. This leads to nerve damage and results in a medical condition called neuropathy, which is loss of feeling in the feet. People with diabetes refer to this as the diabetic foot. When this occurs, one runs the risk of not noticing a small cut or abrasion on their foot. While people without neuropathy would feel the pain of a scrape and treat it right away, those with neuropathy are unable to feel it and leave the injury unattended. Not properly treating a cut on the foot can lead to swelling and infection. In fact, the American Diabetes Association reports that “60 percent nontraumatic lower limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.”

It is vitally important for people with diabetes to take proper care of their feet. With early detection and proper foot care, most small injuries and cuts can be caught and treated before they get serious.

Diabetes Foot Treatment

Here are a few simple steps people with diabetes can take to keep their feet healthy:

  • Wash your feet daily and apply lotion afterward
  • Check your feet daily by visually inspecting them
  • Trim and take care of your toenails regularly
  • Make sure shoes fit properly, don’t cause blisters, and protect your feet from the elements

These are just the basic steps involved with foot maintenance. For more information, please refer to these articles from reputable sources:

 

Common Podiatry Issues

Diabetics affected by Podiatry ProblemsOther podiatry issues that people with diabetes need to be aware of include:

  • Calluses
  • Skin changes, including peeled and cracked skin
  • Foot blisters
  • Foot ulcers
  • Poor circulation

To learn more about podiatry issues people with diabetes should be aware of, please refer to these reputable sources:

Visiting the Podiatrist

Considering people with diabetes tend to develop foot complications, it is important to regularly visit a podiatrist. They can help detect problems before they become serious and minimize any pain and irritation. To find a podiatrist near you, please refer to the American Podiatric Medical Association’s website here.

Diabetic Socks

The best kind of diabetic sock is usually made of a cotton and synthetic blend. These types of socks are seamless so they do not cause irritation or blisters. A great diabetic sock is not at all constrictive at the top. This is important so blood flow is not compromised. The best diabetic socks will be durable and hold up through much wear, as well as have extra cushion on the sole. We recommend these diabetic socks, which meet the all of the above specifications.

Most importantly, any sock that you choose to wear should be white. With white socks, you can easily detect any stains from blood or additional discharge. Make it a habit to quickly check your socks for any stains before throwing them into the laundry basket. This is key to catching any injuries early before they become problematic.

We don’t want you to ruin your socks because of little stains. The diabetic socks team here at Socks4Life tested two different sets of instructions for removing stains (from red wine) from a pair of white socks. Both successfully removed the wine stains and left the socks looking like new!

Removing Stains with Lemon Juice
Removing Stains with Vinegar