Why is diabetic foot care important?
As you probably know, blood sugar fluctuations associated with diabetes wreak havoc on your body. Glucose spikes damage nerves, which can lead to foot numbness.
Plus, poorly managed diabetes can damage veins, vessels, and arteries to a point where blood flow becomes severely strained, particularly in your feet.
These issues increase your chances of developing slow-healing foot wounds, fungal infections, and ingrown toenail infections. Your skin just can’t get the nutrients, oxygen, and overall blood supply it needs to fight off invaders and to promote healing.
To make matters worse, the numbness you may experience — diabetic neuropathy — leaves you highly unlikely to feel wounds when they develop. Diabetic foot care is important to prevent and treat these types of problems, among others.
You meet with your dedicated podiatrist regularly, usually at least once a year, for a comprehensive exam and informative diabetic foot care education session.
During these appointments, your podiatrist can intervene and treat any issues they see early on, so they don’t become infected and lead to a limb-threatening diabetic foot ulcer.
What happens during a diabetic foot care exam?
Boca Raton Podiatry is dedicated to providing comprehensive diabetic foot care to ensure your feet are as healthy as possible.
During your diabetic foot exam, your dedicated podiatrist sits and talks with you about your health and how you’re doing with managing your diabetes. After examining your feet, your podiatrist may:
- Trim your toenails
- Remove corns or calluses
- Remove damaged skin and treat wounds (wound debridement)
This is also your one-on-one time with your podiatrist to talk about any foot or ankle concerns you may have.
How can I prevent diabetic foot wounds?
Once your podiatrist at Boca Raton Podiatry performs any treatments you may need, they talk with you about preventive care. To keep your feet healthy when you have diabetes, it’s helpful to:
- Apply rich moisturizers daily
- Always wear socks with shoes
- Trim your toenails straight across
- Wear custom orthotics or diabetic shoes
Boca Raton Podiatry is available anytime you notice pain, inflammation, or redness in your feet, which are all signs of possible injuries or infections.
Boca Raton Podiatry provides comprehensive diabetic foot care right in the office. You can conveniently book your diabetic foot exam online or over the phone.
