The Importance of Diabetic Wound and Foot Care

Diabetes is a chronic medical problem that happens when your body either can't use the insulin it produces or doesn't make enough insulin to control the amount of sugar in the blood.

If you're living with diabetes, you may already know that there are specific ways it affects your body, which is why controlling your blood sugar is vital. One of the most significant ways diabetes affects you is through your legs and feet.

Nerve damage and decreased circulation are common side effects of diabetes. Your legs and feet are often impacted the most, sometimes leading to slow-healing wounds or ulcers.

If you're unsure where to start with diabetic foot care, look no further than Advanced Ankle and Foot Center in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. John Schoppe and his team provide comprehensive foot and ankle care and give you tips to keep your feet and legs healthy with diabetes.

How diabetes affects your feet

Diabetes is a chronic health issue that affects various aspects of your health. Your body can't regulate the glucose in your blood, which the body uses for energy.

Living with diabetes means you have to be careful what you eat to keep your blood sugar levels in check. High blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage, decreased circulation throughout the body, and an increased risk of heart problems and stroke.

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the ways diabetes affects your feet. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves, causing sensation problems in your legs and feet.

Poor circulation is another consequence of high blood sugar. Without proper blood flow, your body can't correctly heal, so diabetic foot ulcers and infections are common.

Consequences of poor diabetic foot care

When you don't take proper care of your diabetes or your feet, some consequences can follow. High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in your body and lead to decreased circulation in your lower extremities and feet.

Nerve damage is a real problem because it affects how you feel sensations, including pain. Diabetic neuropathy happens when high blood sugar levels damage your nerves, which leads to numbness, tingling, and pain.

Living with neuropathy means you may not feel cuts or injuries to your legs and feet. If you don't know you're injured, you may end up with an infected diabetic ulcer that's slow to heal.

Slow-healing wounds are another consequence of poor diabetic foot care. Nerve damage also leads to decreased circulation to your lower extremities, making it hard for the body to heal.

In severe cases, a diabetic ulcer that doesn't heal may lead to significant problems, including infection and possibly amputation.

Tips to keep your feet healthy

Maintaining your foot health is essential for healthy feet living with diabetes. Dr. Schoppe offers tips and tricks to keep your feet happy and healthy with diabetes, including the following:

Evaluate your feet daily

You should be checking your feet daily for any abnormalities, cuts, or infections you might not be able to feel. Finding a problem early can prevent long-term issues with your feet.

Wear well-fitted shoes

Neuropathy makes it difficult to feel if your shoes don't fit well, so try them later in the day. Break the shoes in slowly, and ensure you wear socks in your shoes at all times.

Don't walk barefoot

Living with diabetes means you should never walk barefoot outside or inside. You're at risk for cuts and injuries that you won't feel, leading to complications like ulcers and infections.

Trim your toenails properly

Ingrown toenails can quickly lead to an infection when you have diabetes. Trim your toenails straight, and check them daily for any signs of a problem.

Don't remove calluses on your own

Corns and calluses are common foot problems, but you should never try to remove them alone with diabetes. Over-the-counter products could harm your skin.

Get regular foot check-ups

Diabetes causes a lot of changes in your body, meaning you need to get regular foot check-ups at least yearly. Dr. Schoppe carefully evaluates your feet to ensure you're getting good circulation and don't have any complications from diabetes.

Call the Advanced Ankle and Foot Center today to schedule a diabetic foot screening with Dr. Schoppe, or request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.