Diabetes Mellitus Blog

Preventing foot problems

In order to try to prevent problems, people with diabetes should encourage and maintain proper foot care. These precautions and care, which does not differ much from those that should keep anyone else, but diabetics should exercise extreme, they manage to avoid many problems and many amputations.

1 .- toenails

Cut toenails after washing and drying the feet. In this way the nails are softer and easier to cut.
The nails should be cut straight, using a blunt-tipped scissors, and use a nail file, non-metallic cardboard to soften the corners. You can even filed down the entire nail, instead of cutting. They should not cut the corners of the toenails.
If you are not good or if the nails are thick or yellowed, you should see a podiatrist for the court. If you notice that the skin around the nail is red and / or pain, consult your doctor immediately or Nursing.

2.- Bunions and corns

Do not cut corns or bunions, much less using knives or razors or other scrapers, bunions or liquid ointment or dressings to remove bunions or corns (Callico). They can damage the skin. In any case, should be used with great care not to wound, soft pumice stone, and much better to go to the podiatrist to solve such problems.

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Among such care can be highlighted:

1 .- Foot Exam

It is possible to have serious foot problems without feeling any pain, so it is of great importance to examine the feet every day to see if they have irritation, rashes, scrapes, bruises, blisters, cracks or wounds. In particular should always check between the toes and soles.
If bending is difficult to achieve see the soles of the feet, you can use a plastic mirror placed on the ground.
If you suffer from eyesight problems, you should seek help from a relative.
If you find any wounds, sores or other injury to the feet, should be reported immediately to the health workers who treat diabetics (physician and / or nurse) or go to the podiatrist. The wounds and / or ulcers may be aggravated very quickly.

2 .- Foot Hygiene

It is necessary to wash the feet daily with warm water and soap.
Must be dried carefully, and compression without rubbing, especially between the toes and under these ..
Do not put your feet to soak or bath of warm water, as this will cause maceration from excess moisture, creating cracks and cracked skin leads to greater ease of infection.
If the foot has dry skin, it is necessary to apply a thin layer of skin oil, lotion or moisturizer on plants and on parts dry except between the toes. Keep in mind that the moisture between the toes produces cracks, as well as allowing the growth of fungi that can cause an infection.