Care of the Diabetic Foot, Part One [An Excerpt]
By Joseph Juliano, M.D.
Let me assure you that once you have lived with diabetes as long as I have, you will take fewer chances in areas of your life that may cause complications to your diabetes. This is especially true for the care of the diabetic foot. We take our feet for granted, going about in a busy day with the attitude that they will always be there to get us where we need to go. Only when we feel some level of discomfort with our feet do we stop for a moment to care for them.
It is diabetic neuropathy that decreases our sensitivity to pain and it is this threshold of sensation which protects the normal foot. However, if the diabetic has lost a great deal of pain sensation due to neuropathy, by the time he does feel pain some level of damage may have been done.
As diabetics, we must accept responsibility of our feet by performing a daily check, and do this check on a lifetime basis. Take a close look at your feet. Examine your nail beds and toes. Note any calluses, bunions, abrasions, nicks or scratches. Look for signs or indications of noticeable wear, rubbing from shoes or areas of tenderness. Check the areas above your toes for normal hair growth. Do your feet feel cold or warm? Do you have any pain when walking? Do you have signs of athletes’ foot or cracking between your toes? Are your feet sensitive to hot or cold? Do you experience tingling or burning sensations in your feet? Do your ankles swell with fluid upon prolonged standing?
It is important to do this every day to become familiar with any changes you may encounter with your feet on a day-to-day basis. The most important thing to remember is that we want to watch for infection. An infection that may have started as a simple blister due to tight fitting new shoes spells potential disaster for the diabetic. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if you believe an infection has begun. I cannot stress enough the recommendation of daily examination of your feet and application of a soothing foot cream especially formulated for individuals with diabetes.
The full text of this article can be found at the D-Care web site in the "Meet the Doctor" section.
Joseph Juliano, M.D., is a best-selling author who has been an insulin-dependent diabetic for 36 years. A former research endocrinologist, he lost his sight due to complications of diabetic retinopathy, and has since devoted his life to improving health care and education for people with diabetes. Visitors to the D-Care web site can find information about how to call Dr. Juliano for free answers to questions about diabetes.
To learn more about D-Care’s line of Foot Care products, visit the Foot Care Section of our web site, D-Care.com.