Diabetic Foot Care
Ankle & Foot Specialist of N.J.
Podiatrists & Podiatric Surgeons located in Hillsborough, South Plainfield, Middlesex, East Brunswick & Woodbridge, NJ
Complications related to diabetes can affect most parts of your body, and foot issues such as neuropathy and foot ulcers are among the most common. Regular visits to a podiatrist like Pragnesh Patel, DPM, or Jyotsna Thapar, DPM, are a crucial part of your diabetes foot-care routine. The team of foot care experts at Ankle & Foot Specialist of N.J. can help you manage and prevent diabetic foot complications. For your convenience, there are five New Jersey offices in Middlesex, Woodbridge, South Plainfield, Hillsborough, and East Brunswick. You can schedule an appointment online or over the phone.
Diabetic Foot Care
How does diabetes affect the feet?
When you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop serious foot problems. Taking care of your feet is more complicated for people who have diabetes than for people who don’t. Foot problems that may be a minor issue for most people can become a serious concern for you, and you have to pay extra close attention to your feet.
Diabetes can make foot care challenging and urgent for several related reasons. The condition affects your circulation, so wounds take longer to heal, progress much faster, and are more likely to become infected.
Even a small crack in your skin can lead to an ulcer and become severely infected. Infected diabetic ulcers can lead to loss of a toe, foot, or leg.
Not only are wounds more complicated when you have diabetes, but it’s also often harder to tell when you have one because of another common complication of diabetes called neuropathy, which is nerve damage. Neuropathy reduces or eliminates the feeling in your feet, including pain, so you need to inspect your feet daily. Otherwise, you may not know you have a wound.
How do I manage and prevent diabetic foot complications?
It’s important to keep a few things in mind when choosing your shoes and socks to stay comfortable and prevent diabetic foot complications. You should wear comfortable shoes that leave ample room for your toes and don’t need to be “broken in.” Specialized diabetic shoes feature extra support and padding, and they don’t have features like interior stitching that can irritate your feet.
In addition to managing your diabetes, meticulous foot care is a necessary part of preventing diabetic foot ulcers and infections. Inspect your feet at least once a day for wounds, and have your podiatrist treat ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses rather than doing it yourself at home. It’s also important to keep your feet clean and moisturized.
If you have any concerns about diabetic foot complications, including ulcers, schedule an appointment right away at Ankle & Foot Specialist of N.J. Your podiatrist can treat diabetic ulcers to help them heal, prevent infection, relieve pressure from the area, and safely remove dead skin and tissue.
What is the importance of footwear in managing diabetes?
It’s important to keep a few things in mind when choosing your shoes and socks to stay comfortable and prevent diabetic foot complications. You should wear comfortable shoes that leave ample room for your toes and don’t need to be “broken in.” Specialized diabetic shoes feature extra support and padding, and they don’t have features like interior stitching that can irritate your feet.
You should wear dry, clean socks every day, and always wear socks with shoes. Make sure your socks aren’t torn or wrinkled. Look for square-toed socks that don’t squeeze your toes, and wear thin, cotton socks in the summer, as they’re more absorbent.
Diabetic foot care is an essential part of managing diabetes and preventing complications. To get expert help with caring for your feet, schedule an appointment at Ankle & Foot Specialist of N.J. online or over the phone.