How To Check Your Feet If You Have Diabetes

Two complications from diabetes can spell danger for your feet. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can cause neuropathy or nerve damage. This condition can cause pain in the feet, but can also lessen sensation. You may have some damage to your feet, such as a small cut, bruise or puncture, and not even know it.

Another complication is peripheral arterial disease or PAD. PAD causes material to build up on blood vessel walls, resulting in restricted blood flow to the extremities.

When both complications occur, a small wound on the feet will be not be noticed due to numbness, and can quickly worsen because of lack of healing blood to the area. So it’s easy to see why an individual with diabetes should carefully inspect their feet every day.

Checking Your Feet Is as Easy as 1-2-3

Build these easy three steps into your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth:

1.    Check your entire foot, top and bottom, toes and between the toes. Place a mirror on the floor to view the soles. You are looking for any change in the foot’s appearance, skin texture, and color, temperature and numbness.

2.    Inspect carefully for any damage, no matter how small. Look for bruises, cuts, scrapes, dry skin cracks and puncture wounds.

3.    Look for any toenail problem such as an ingrown nail. Watch for a rash on or between the toes that may be a fungal infection.

Give us a call to report any damage right away. It’s important to address these issues and begin treatment immediately to reduce your risk of a serious complication.

We Are the Experts on Diabetic Foot Care

The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors which consists of Dr. Robert Marra, Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and Dr. Matthew Tshudy is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices in Hartford County, conveniently located in Enfield and South Windsor, CT.