Foot Issues That Are Common With Diabetes

Diabetes attacks the feet

Individuals that suffer from diabetes are at risk for a number of health problems. Kidney failure is quite common amongst individuals that have diabetes but one of the most common complaints is nerve damage. Diabetes tends to attack the feet more than any other appendage and it can leave you facing amputation. When the nerves are damaged in the feet, it will reduce your sensation in the feet and eventually you may not be able to feel your foot at all.


Diabetes patients commonly face blood flow problems, especially in the legs and feet because they are the furthest away from the heart. Your heart will need to pump extra hard to try and keep the blood moving, which can lead to increased blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. To help keep the blood flowing properly in the legs, consider wearing compression stockings. They are wonderful for elderly individuals and pregnant women as they help to reduce swelling, pain, and provide you with proper blood flow: http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/product/jobst-ultrasheer-knee-hi-grad-compression-stockings-large-20-30mmhg-beige/259/.

A small injury to the foot like a cut or callus can easily cost you your foot. A small wound or injury can easily become infected and it will hurt the blood flow in your legs and feet. Having a foot infection will land you in the hospital quickly and it is the most common reason why diabetes patients visit the hospital. If medical treatments are unable to help the wound get better, the only treatment is amputation.

Here is a list of the common foot problems individuals with diabetes face along with some treatment methods that will help to prevent these problems:

Tips on maintaining healthy skin as we age

• Corns and calluses. This is one of the common pains diabetes patients will suffer. They are caused from too much pressure or rubbing on one spot. Try using a corn remover or visit your doctor to have them removed, without actually cutting into the foot where it can affect the blood flow.
  
  
• Blisters. It is common to develop blisters if your shoes rub against the feet. Wearing wet socks or shoes will cause a blister to develop. You need to go to your doctor for treatment as they may recommend against popping them as this may cause an infection in the foot.
  
  
• Bunion. Similar to calluses a bunion will form small bumps at the base of your big toe. This is caused from the big toe sliding inward and pushing into your other toes. They can become sore and infected if you leave them untreated. Wearing pointed toe shoes or tight shoes can cause bunions. Bunions also run in the family so you may have inherited it.
  
  
• Ingrown Toenails. The nails on the feet can grow into the skin if you do not cut and sand them back. Ingrown toenails can become painful and they will become infected if left untreated. For diabetes patients, you may need to have surgery to remove the actual toenail to prevent the condition from reoccurring.
  
  
• Dry Skin. Feet rarely get the lotion treatment that hands do. Dehydration is common among patients with diabetes so it is expected for your skin to dry out faster than normal. Consider using some moisturizers on the skin to prevent it from drying out too much: http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/product/triderma-dry-skin-healing-cream-2-2-ounces/2423/. This is a dry skin cream that was designed specifically for diabetic patients. While you may not think much of dry skin, it can actually allow bacteria to enter the skin and become infected. This will lead to painful lesions and sores on the feet that may not heal and you could lose your foot. Always apply moisturizer to the feel to try and prevent dry skin problems.
  
  

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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