If you are someone with diabetes, you need to take care of your feet. Once diabetic foot problems develop, treatment can be difficult. We want to help you answer basic questions about diabetic foot problems and day-to-day care to help prevent them.
Neuropathy – The Loss of Feeling
Q: What is neuropathy?
A: Neuropathy is the gradual loss of nerve function in the feet and legs due to diabetes. The most common and significant change is loss of feeling or touch sensation. 40% of neuropathy is heightened pain.
Q: How do I know if I have neuropathy?
A: Neuropathy usually comes on slowly. You may not notice it at first because it is the absence or reduction of sensation. It is hard to be aware of something you cannot feel! A physical exam by your doctor and sometimes special tests can help in making the diagnoses.
Q: If neuropathy causes loss of feeling, why do my feet sometimes hurt or tingle?
A: Neuropathy can cause the nerves to “go haywire”, or transmit impulses that you experience as numbness, tingling, shooting pains, burning sensations, pins and needles, electric shock sensations or a combination of the above.
Q: Do all diabetics get neuropathy?
A: The likelihood of getting neuropathy increases with age. The longer you have diabetes, the increase chance you have of developing neuropathy. Many cases are mild, but some are more severe. The severity of the neuropathy does not necessarily correspond to the severity of the diabetes. Some people with mild diabetes can have severe neuropathy. The key to prevention is by controlling blood sugar.
Q: What can happen to my feet if I have Neuropathy?
A: You can damage your feet without knowing it. For example, a person with neuropathy may let a cut or a sore of the foot get out of hand simply because it does not feel painful, and they do not realize it is there.
Q: What other ways can neuropathy hurt my feet?
A: If you wear a pair of poorly fitting shoes, blisters or open sores (ulcers) can form in less than an hour. At first these can cause small problems which can snowball into serious problems.
Q: If I have a small foot injury or minor infection, should I call the doctor?
A: Yes. All too often a patient notices an area of swelling or redness but fails to seek medical attention because it does not hurt. Later, he/she loses all or part of the foot. The most dangerous thing about neuropathy is the absence of feeling. This allows the injury to go unrecognized.
Circulation – A Key to Healing
Q: How does diabetes affect circulation?
A: Diabetes can contribute to narrowing of the arteries and decreased circulation in the upper and lower parts of the leg. However, neuropathy - not circulation, is the main cause of most diabetic foot problems.
Q: Does poor circulation affect healing?
A: Your skin and other issues depend on good blood circulation for both oxygen and nutrition. Poor circulation can result in skin breakdown and cause minor cuts, bruises, burns and other injuries to heal poorly. Paying close attention to your feet, primarily by inspecting them twice a day, is the key to preventing serious problems.
Infections - Red Alert!
Q: Why do infections cause foot problems?
A: Infections may spread quickly in the foot giving little warning. Minor injuries can become open sores and then develop in an abscess (deep infection). Once an infection becomes deep-seated or gets into the bone, you will usually need surgery in addition to antibiotics.
Q: What should I watch out for?
A: Several "sneaky signs" should lead you to suspect infection. Unexplained temperature rise or fever coupled with open sores or blisters on your feet may signal an infection. Other warning signs may include too much sugar in the urine, or blood sugar that is difficult to control and requires a higher insulin dosage. Again, inspect your feet regularly to prevent serious problems.
Prevention - A mirror of your sole.
Q: How do I prevent foot problems?
A: Good care requires daily vigilance. Close visual inspection must substitute for the feeling you have lost in your feet. Look for reddened skin, sores, blisters, inflamed nails, bony prominence, and changes in the shape of your foot.
Q: How do I do this when I find it hard to get in a position to see the bottom of my feet?
A: You can place a mirror against a wall near a chair in the bedroom or bathroom to inspect your feet. If you have poor vision you may find a magnifying glass helpful. Most practically, have a friend or family member inspect your feet regularly.
Q: What daily care should I do?
A: Use gentle cleaning routines. Wash your feet in lukewarm water, never hot. You cannot rely on your feet to warn you that the water is hot. Test the water temperature with your elbow. Wash with a soft cloth and mild soap.
Q: What else should I know?
A: Dry thoroughly but gently between the toes. Use a moisturizing lotion for dry skin, but do not put it in between the toes. Keep dry skin soft and pliable.
Q: How should I trim my nails?
A: If you have good vision and can reach them easily, trim nails straight across with a nail clipper. Do not round the corners. However, it is safest to file the nails down frequently with a simple nail file or emery board. If you have difficulty ot str uncertain, you should have your nails trimmed professionally.
Meet Erica, the seasoned author behind Canadian Footwear's insightful blogs. With over a decade at Canadian Footwear, Erica's journey has spanned from fitting specialist to store manager, E-Commerce assistant, and head of marketing. Her passion lies in unraveling the technology of footwear, particularly in the dynamic realm of running shoes.
Erica E.
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