Foot Problem

How It Works

Tips

Diabetic neuropathy¹​

Uncontrolled diabetes is likely to cause nerve damage and over time, it will cause tingling and pain or even numbness. Because of that, you might be unaware of any potential substances in your shoes or on the floor, which leads to more incidences of cuts and sores, and can be infected.

💡 Take any diabetes medicines and other medicines that your doctor prescribes

Poor blood circulation

Diabetes causes blood vessels of the lower limbs to narrow and harden. This leads to lower blood flow to the legs and feet and this can make it hard for a sore or an infection to heal. This can potentially cause gangrene and foot ulcers, which can lead to an amputation of your toe, foot, or part of your leg, in order to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of your body.

💡 Don't smoke; smoking makes arteries harden faster

💡 Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

💡 If your feet are cold, you may be tempted to warm them.

Unfortunately, if your feet cannot feel heat, it is easy for you to burn them with hot water, hot water bottles, or heating pads. The best way to help cold feet is to wear warm socks

💡 Exercise is good for poor circulation. It stimulates blood flow in the legs and feet. Walk in sturdy, good-fitting, comfortable shoes, but don't walk when you have open sores.

Skin changes

In diabetic patients, nerves that control the oil and moisture in your foot do not work well. This results in very dry skin which may peel and crack.

💡 After a bath, apply a thin coat of plain petroleum jelly or unscented hand cream on dried feet to seal the remaining moisture

💡 Never put oils or creams between the toes as extra moisture is prone to infection

💡  Avoid soaking your feet as it may dry the skin

Calluses

It tends to occur more often and build up faster on the feet of diabetic patients, due to the high-pressure areas around the foot. Untrimmed calluses will thicken over time and break down which turn into ulcers. This is likely to increase infection risk.

💡 Opt for therapeutic shoes and inserts if you have too much callus.

💡 Never trim calluses and corns yourself or with chemical agents as this can lead to ulcers and infection. Let the health care provider do it instead. 

💡 Use a pumice stone on wet skin everyday to keep calluses under control and apply lotion right after.