Diabetics have to be extra careful with their health. As part of their health care in Kansas, they need to do certain tasks on a regular basis. Some of them include monitoring their blood sugar levels and making sure that they are taking their medications on time.
If you are a diabetic, you also have to think about foot care. Nerve damage and circulation problems brought about by diabetes can result in serious foot problems. You can prevent these problems by keeping the following habits:
- Inspect your feet thoroughly.
Inspections should be done on a daily basis, especially after taking a bath. Watch out for signs of foot problems which can get worse and lead to complications if not treated by a doctor immediately. These include swelling, cuts, blisters and red spots.
Make sure to inspect the entire foot. You can use a mirror to check the bottom part. If you are having troubles doing so, a home health aide can help you.
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Hot water and harsh soap can cause damage to the skin on your feet. Instead, use mild soap and lukewarm water. When testing the temperature of the water, use your elbow or your fingers instead of your feet. Diabetes usually makes a patient lose sensitivity in the feet.
After cleaning your feet, dry them carefully and thoroughly. Do not forget to dry out the toes as they can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
- Trim your toenails carefully.
If you trim your toenails, be careful when doing so. You may also ask assistance from a service provider of home health & hospice in Wichita, Kansas.
- Wear diabetic socks and shoes.
The feet of diabetics are more prone to injuries. Wear proper diabetic footwear indoors and outdoors.
- Protect the feet from hot and/or cold items or surfaces.
Don’t use a hot water bottle, heating pad or even an electric blanket on the feet. Due to lost sensitivity, you might not know that you have already injured your feet with burns.
If foot problems arise, call the doctor immediately. The following are some signs of possible foot problems:- pain, burning or tingling sensations on the feet
- changes in the shape and color (yellowing) of the feet
- blisters
- ingrown toenails
- sores
Providence Home Health and Hospice LLC provides diabetic management services as part of our care services. We do our best to help you manage this condition better. Call us today!
