Nerve damage/disease related to diabetes in the legs and feet causes decreased sensation, and makes the foot liable to undetected trauma. This can also result in pain, tingling, numbness, and deformity of the foot.
Poor circulation leads to poor wound healing and increased risk of serious infection. In severe cases, doctors may have to amputate toes or feet.
Prevention of Foot Problems
- Poorly fitting shoes are the most common cause of foot trauma; wear shoes and socks that fit. Socks made of natural fibers are recommended because they allow feet to breathe
- Change your shoes at least once during the day.
- Look for areas of redness after taking your shoes off, and shake out or feel inside your shoes for foreign objects before putting the shoes on.
- Avoid going barefoot indoors and outdoors.
- Treat small cuts by washing, rinsing well, drying and covering with a sterile dressing. If cuts do not show signs of healing within 2 days, contact your health care provider.
- Avoid using garters and knee highs, as these can cut off circulation.
- Avoid using heating pads, hot water bottles, and microwavable warmers.
- Bathe daily with mild soap and pat dry.
- Avoid the use of heating pads, hot water bottles, and microwavable warmers
- Look at the tops and bottoms of your feet every day for fissures, cracks, calluses, red spots, cuts, and bruises.
- If skin is dry, use lanolin-based lotion to kept feet soft smooth; avoid putting lotion between the toes as fungus can often grow in that area.
- Care for corns and calluses gently. Use a pumice stone or emery board and avoid the use of chemical preparations or sharp instruments.
- Trim toenails straight across and even with the end of the toe; thick nails should be cut by a podiatrist.
- Use cornstarch powder if moisture is a problem.
- Use sunscreen on your body, including the tops of your feet.
- See a podiatrist for continuing care of foot problems.