Have you ever wondered why people with diabetes should pay close attention to their feet? It’s because diabetes can restrict blood flow and cause nerve damage.
Without proper blood flow, a diabetic’s foot injury can go unnoticed and cause a whole new set of problems. If you or someone you care for has diabetes, it’s crucial to manage blood sugar levels and pay close attention to your feet.
Why Is Foot Care Important for Diabetics?
Foot problems for a person with diabetes can develop into much more severe complications. People with diabetes risk developing neuropathy, Charcot’s foot, or worse, gangrene. It’s not uncommon for a person with diabetes to have a toe, foot, or leg amputated. Before amputation happens, a person with diabetes may develop nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy.
Nerve damage begins with a tingling in the feet or the loss of feeling in the feet. Without feeling, a person with diabetes would not know if they have a cut, sore, or some other type of injury to the feet. An injury or wound may take longer to heal and develop into a serious infection.
A severe infection for a person with diabetes is just as dangerous as diabetic neuropathy. An infection or wound takes longer to heal because of the lack of blood flow to the feet, another problem diabetics experience. Combine the lack of blood flow or blood circulation with a severe infection, and gangrene develops. When gangrene sets in, the only solution is amputation to prevent the spread to other parts of the body.
Another condition diabetics can develop due to nerve damage is Charcot’s foot. Charcot’s foot happens when the foot changes into an odd shape. It’s not that common, but it can happen. The foot swells, and the bones shift, causing the foot to have what is known as a “rocker bottom.”
The good news is taking care of your feet properly and managing your blood sugar levels reduce the risk of developing these complications. Regular visits to the doctor are also highly recommended.
Adaptive Aids for Diabetic Foot Care
A person with diabetes should check their feet daily and keep them clean always. Set reminders if necessary to help you remember. In addition, take advantage of adaptive aids designed to help you keep your feet clean and examine your feet for cuts or sores.
Long Reach Foot Brush
Start with one of these helpful foot brushes. If bending is an issue, use the Long Reach Foot Brush. It features a 25-inch, ergonomic handle with a soft sponge and nylon bristles. Use the convenient sponge to clean between your toes and the nylon bristles to clean the bottom of your feet.
Pumice Stone
If you prefer a brush with a pumice stone, use this extra long Pumice Stone Foot Scrubber. This particular foot scrubber features a 30-inch long, mold-resistant, non-slip handle with a pumice stone and over 700 bristles to clean your feet effectively. It has a convenient hook and separates for easy storage.
This stationary Hygiene Essential Foot Scrubber is another excellent way to keep your feet clean. This unique diabetic foot massager features stiff scrubbing bristles on either side, soft massaging bristles in the middle, and a hard pumice stone at the top for removing hard, dead skin. The oval base attaches securely to the shower or bathtub, and the overall unit is latex-free, mold and mildew resistant.
It is equally crucial for a person with diabetes to keep toenails short and smooth. An ingrown toenail can be just as dangerous as an infected wound. The best way to prevent ingrown toenails is with this New Diabetic Long Handle Toenail Clipper. It’s available in four convenient lengths; 19.6, 23.6, 28.3, and 34.6 inches. Easy to assemble and durable, this brush is ideal for users with mobility issues or unable to bend. Check out this short video.
Para Mirror
Finally, an essential adaptive aid every person with diabetes should have is a self-examining Telescopic Para Mirror. Use this nifty little gadget to inspect underneath your feet, between your toes, and all other areas of your body. The telescopic stainless steel handle adjusts from 6.5 inches to an overall length of 17 inches. It features a 4-inch nylon handle and a 3.5 by a 2-inch mirror that rotates 360 degrees. It easily folds for carrying in a pocket or purse.
As you can see, proper foot care is vital for people with diabetes. Washing your feet every day and examining them for cuts, sores, or blisters will eliminate the possibility of a far worse fate.
Using adaptive aids can assist people with diabetes with maintaining proper foot care. Find the one that works best for you and make using it a part of your daily grooming activity.
If you do see problems while examining your feet, talk to your doctor right away and follow their recommendations. With proper care of their feet and glucose level management, people with diabetes can live a healthy, stress-free life.