Diabetes causes poor circulation and the loss of sensation, especially in feet. Unattended foot problems can lead to infections and in severe cases, amputation. For these reasons it is highly important to keep your feet healthy.
Here are five things you can do daily to help maintain healthy feet.
- Check Your Feet – Look for calluses, cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or other problems because this may be a sign of an infection. Don’t forget to check under your feet, you can use a mirror to help you see.
- Protect Your Feet– Never walk barefoot. Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet to avoid injuries. Before putting your shoes on check inside to make sure there is a smooth lining and there are no objects inside.
- Promote Blood Flow– When sitting, put your feet up in a chair or footrest. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Incorporate some light exercise into your day like walking briskly or dancing. Avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time.
- Wash Your Feet – Use warm water to wash your feet. Make sure to check the bath water with your hand or elbow before to make sure it’s not too hot. Don’t soak feet because this may cause dryness. Be gentle when drying your feet especially between your toes.
- Trim and Moisturize – The best time to trim your toenails is after washing your feet because the nails will be soft. You’ll want to trim your toenails straight across and file the sharp edges on the sides to avoid ingrown nails. You’ll also want to moisturize after drying your feet with something like our Diabetic Foot Defense™ Healing Cream. It is a diabetic foot cream that delivers deep moisture to help heal and protect dry, damaged skin caused by diabetic conditions. Apply the cream on the top and bottom of your foot avoiding the space between your toes.