Diabetic Foot Care
Preventing and treating foot complications in diabetes
How Does Diabetes Lead to Foot Issues?
People with diabetes often face foot problems because high blood sugar levels can harm the nerves and blood vessels in the feet over time. This nerve damage is known as diabetic neuropathy and can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in the feet.
When you lose feeling in your feet, you might not realize you have a cut, blister, or sore. These wounds can become infected because the blood vessels are damaged, which reduces blood flow to the feet.
An infection with poor blood flow can lead to gangrene. Gangrene happens when the tissues in the foot start to die. If gangrene or a foot ulcer does not heal, it may be necessary to have an amputation. An amputation is a surgery where part of the foot or leg is removed to stop a serious infection from spreading and to save your life.
How Can I Take Care of My Feet?
However, there are steps you can take to avoid serious foot issues.
The most important step is to manage your blood sugar levels every day. This helps prevent nerve and blood vessel damage from getting worse.
Another key step is to keep your feet healthy.
When Should I Talk to My Doctor?
Serious foot issues can appear quickly. You should contact your doctor right away if you notice:
Remember, keeping your blood sugar under control and taking care of your feet daily are the best ways to prevent serious foot problems related to diabetes.
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