Daily Care Helps Avoid Diabetic Foot Complications
November is National Diabetes Month® and the HealthyFeetBlog.com is joining the American Diabetes Association in their movement to Stop DiabetesSM. This month most of our blog posts will be related to diabetes and your feet.
Today we are thrilled to have a guest blogger, Hai-En Peng, DPM, AACFAS sharing with us daily care tips to avoid diabetic foot complications.
(THOUSAND OAKS, CA – 11/09) With the observance of National Diabetes Month in November, Dr. Peng, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons with an office in Thousand Oaks, CA, reminds residents with diabetes that following simple foot care tips can reduce their risk of toe, foot or leg amputations.
People with diabetes are 10 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated than people without diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Peng says the disease can cause poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet, making them vulnerable to developing ulcers, infections, deformities and brittle bones.
The ACFAS consumer Web site FootPhysicians.com provides these foot care tips for people with diabetes:
- Inspect feet daily for injuries that could lead to dangerous ulcers.
- Gently wash feet in lukewarm (not hot!) water.
- Moisturize feet, avoiding the area between the toes.
- Never trim corns or calluses; this can lead to serious infections.
- Inspect the inside of shoes before wearing.
People with diabetes must always be vigilant, says Dr. Peng, and see a foot and ankle surgeon at the first sign of trouble. Early treatment can keep diabetic foot problems from progressing, and reduce the risk of amputations.
Thanks again to Dr. Peng for sharing these helpful tips! To learn more about Dr. Peng you can visit his practice website at www.pengfootankle.com or to set up an appointment with Dr. Peng, call (805) 496-2383.
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Frances Gaetz said:
I have several complications-not due to my diabetes. I fall a lot, and recently notices my feet turn in when I walk. Seems more obvious on my left.. My shoes (heals wear in a way that it feels uncomfortable trying to walk straight in them) I’m having some trouble with the
infection you get in your nails (can’t think of name at this moment).
I do have arthritis, but don’t know if it has affected my feet yet. My feet feel very uncomfortable when I lay down to sleep. And last, I now have edema in my lower legs, and just started wearing TED hose. ?? What kind of shoes should I wear? I haven’t worn any kind of heels High) for over 20 years! HELP!
amandas said:
Hi Frances- Please see a doctor asap. We belive you need orthotics and should not be walking in TED hose, so please consult a podiatrist as soon as possible so you are not deterred from walking.
~HealthyFeetStore.com staff