Take Care Of Your Feet When You Are Diabetic

Diabetes, whether type 1 or 2, can lead to complications in the feet: trauma, wounds, lesions, etc. which require special attention and early treatment.

Complications of diabetes in the feet

Three main conditions of the foot are common in diabetics:

Diabetic neuropathy

It is an alteration in the functioning of the nerves which promotes the appearance of sores in the feet.

It is characterized by:

loss of sensitivity of the feet to pain, cold and heat ... but it results in severe pain;
deformities of the feet (bunion, claw toes);
thickening of the skin (dermatitis);
abnormal dryness of the skin.

As the foot becomes unresponsive to pain, a burn or injury can go unnoticed and worsen over time if left untreated.

Plantar perforating pain

It corresponds to a more or less deep hole located under the foot in most cases. It is one of the consequences of diabetic neuropathy. Scarring of this plantar perforating pain is very difficult and, if left untreated, the wound may extend to the bone. Amputation is sometimes considered to stop the progression of the wound.


Arteritis of the lower limbs

Arteritis is a disease of the arteries that supply blood to the foot. It worsens the sores of the foot, can cause pain (painful ulcers) or necrosis (death of the foot tissue). This disease is not specific to diabetes, it is also very common in case of smoking, hypercholesterolemia (excess cholesterol in the blood) or high blood pressure.

Did you know ?

Diabetes is the leading cause of amputation in France with 8,000 cases per year. More than 15% of diabetics will one day have a sore foot.

How to prevent diabetic foot complications?

The prevention of complications of the foot requires regular monitoring, at least once a year.

The doctor then checks:

The sensitivity of the feet . Using nylon thread, it presses more or less strongly on the feet.
The presence or the absence of arteritis . This is the measurement of the pulse at the ankles and feet.
The presence or the absence of deformations or poor positioning of the feet.

Depending on the state of health of the feet, the doctor can refer to a pedicure and / or a podiatrist (or even an orthopedic surgeon) for a treatment adapted to the stage of development of the disease.

Our tips for taking care of your feet every day

A few simple hygiene and prevention measures can help you keep your feet healthy.

During the daily toilet:

• Clean your feet with clear, lukewarm water and soap.
• Dry your feet and the spaces between your toes with a clean towel to limit the risk of developing a yeast infection.
• Hydrate your feet with a moisturizer (ask your doctor, podiatrist, pedicure or pharmacist for advice).
• Examine your feet. If you lack flexibility, use a mirror to observe the bottom of your foot.

Do not cut your nails too short to limit skin wounds using suitable scissors with round ends (avoid pliers).

In case of calluses, calluses or corns, consult your pedicure or podiatrist who will be responsible for reducing or eliminating them. Avoid doing it yourself as you may injure yourself and cause complications.

What to do in case of a foot sore?

The foot sore is an emergency in a diabetic person. It is therefore essential, in the event of a wound, to consult your treating doctor as soon as possible, who will decide on the procedure to be followed (treatment, nursing, resting, etc.).

How to choose good shoes when you are diabetic?

The shoes most suited to the diabetic foot are neither too flexible nor too rigid, closed and with a small heel (less than or equal to 4 cm), wide for women. Buy your shoes at the end of the day, when the foot is inflated, to choose the size that suits you.

Also, never walk barefoot and opt for cotton socks. Some Diabetic socks are specially designed for the diabetic foot (reduction in seam). Do not hesitate to take advice from your doctor or pharmacist.