Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetics are more likely to have foot issues, mainly because of decreased blood flow to extremities, as well as loss of feeling in the feet. Losing feeling can be dangerous for diabetics because they may not treat foot injuries when they are small. The restricted blood flow can make matters worse by slowing the healing process of your injuries. 

If you are already dealing with diabetes-related foot issues, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, to receive the highest level of care for your precious means of everyday mobility. For those who are at high risk of foot issues, the following is a list of preventative measures you can take for diabetic foot care.

1. Give your feet a daily check-up and clean them every day. Look for any sign of issue or injury, such ingrown toenails or cut that you may not have noticed. Wash your feet in warm water. Make sure it is not too hot as to burn your feet without realizing. Dry your feet completely to prevent fungal infection.
2. Stay hydrated for overall skin maintenance. For your feet in particular, moisturize the tops and bottoms to keep the skin from drying out and cracking. 
3. If you have lost feeling in your toes, inspect your toenails often to make sure your toenails are not ingrown. If you find ingrown toenails, it is best to have a podiatrist take care of them since you are unable to feel if you are causing more harm to your toes by trying to treat the ingrown toenails. 
4. Be active to encourage circulation to your feet. This will help with any healing processes and prevent excessive swelling. 
5. While you should give your feet breathing room, you should try to always wear socks and shoes or slippers to prevent injury by stepping on something or stubbing your toes. 
6. You may need special orthotic shoes if you notice that your feet are becoming disfigured or if you have corns and calluses. Dr. Toll will be able to assess and review options with you. 

If you need more guidance about diabetic foot care, make an appointment with us at Crofton Podiatry at our office in Crofton, MD.  Call us today at (410) 721-4505. Dr. Toll and his staff will help you treat your diabetic foot issues with the latest technologies and expert medical advice.