Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

Diabetes and your feet-sies

People often think that type 2 diabetes strikes only the overweight and sedentary, or unhealthy eaters. But anyone can be diagnosed with diabetes, even world-class athletes or the rich and famous.  Surprisingly enough, celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Larry King, Salma Hayek, Nick Jonas, Paula Dean, Drew Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Randy Jackson, and Billie Jean King have all been diagnosed with diabetes.  While they’ve been outspoken about it, there are more than 22.3 million other American who are now living with diabetes, and it is believed that an additional 6.3 million Americans are living undiagnosed.  Currently, the prevalence of adult diabetes in Maryland grew from 6.8% in 1999 to 8.7% in 2008.

Uncontrolled diabetes has been well linked to other illnesses, especially breaks in the skin known as ulcers, a very serious health risk.  Did you know that the average cost of healing a diabetic foot ulcer can range from $2,000-$60,000 per ulcer? Even more staggering, diabetic foot ulcers have a very high likelihood of becoming infected, usually requiring an amputation to resolve.  This is exactly why we stress to every patient with diabetes that they check their feet daily, and see a foot specialist at least once a year.  I see many patients with diabetes at my office at Crofton Podiatry in Crofton, Maryland, and I always strongly advise my patients to regularly check their feet for corns and calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, warts, or overly dry and cracked skin.  All of these are problem which should not be ignored, and require the attention of a specialist for prompt resolution.

The following are my top tips to keeping your feet healthy!

·         Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, infected toenails, or other problems.

·         Engage in regular physical activity, but check your feet daily for problems.

·         Protect your feet from hot or cold conditions. Yes this includes electric heating blankets!

·         Wear shoes that fit well – if you need help, come in and see me!  Secondly, wear shoes and socks at all times,                 and making sure to change your socks daily!

·         Trim your toenails regularly, and have a podiatrist check them every 6 months.

·         Wash your feet every day in warm, but not hot water.

·         Keep your blood glucose numbers as close to your target as possible.

·         If you smoke, get help to quit.

By Brad Toll.

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Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed