Diabetic Foot Care is Important

Diabetes comes with many serious health problems and complications which can wreak havoc on the lives of those suffering from it. With diabetes, it becomes very vital to take proper care of small injuries and infections as it can easily lead to bigger problems. Foot complications are pretty common among diabetics. What starts off as a small blister or a cut can quickly turn into a serious ailment requiring medical intervention. Since feet undergo the most wear and tear, it is observed that over 25% of hospitalizations among diabetic patients are due to foot-related complications. With a depleted ability to counter infections and low levels of blood glucose, diabetics can easily become victims of foot infections. What seems like a small sore or wound, can quickly turn into sores which take weeks if not months to heal. If medical attention is not sought for such problems, it can lead to serious consequences like amputations.

With proper foot care and lifestyle changes to manage diabetic symptoms, patients can ensure that seemingly small and normal wounds don’t take an ugly turn. The problem with such wounds in diabetics is that it’s extremely difficult to tell whether the wound is just normal and would heal with time or if it’s something serious and requires medical intervention. Hence, it becomes all the more important to understand the symptoms and common signs of infections which over time can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Pain or Infection in Foot

Some of the symptoms associated with diabetic foot infections are as follows:

  • Acute illness in the patient along with the formation of painful hardened mass due to hardening of soft tissues at the extremities of the wound.
  • In most cases, there is an absence of any form of discharge from the wound. If discharge is present then it will mostly be foul smelling.
  • The occurrence of crepitation over the affected area might also be observed in the case of infection due to anaerobic microbes.
  • Tenderness around the wound area and intense pain are also signs of serious complications
  • Softening of tissues along with the occurrence of blisters filled with fluid.

In order to minimize the chances of injuries or wounds and prevent infections from developing, the professionals at Comfort Stride Foot Care Clinic in Toronto  have listed a few things to keep in mind.

A Doctor Examining The Foot of a Patient

  • Ensure that you perform a self examination of your feet every day. Take help of family members or friends if you can’t see certain areas of your feet.
  • Take care of your toenails and ensure that they are trimmed straight rather than curved. Also, take care in trimming them to avoid ingrown nails.
  • Wash your feet daily in warm water preferably using a mild soap.
  • Ensure that your feet remain dry, even between the toes to prevent chances of fungal infection.
  • Invest in good quality shoes which fit you well and most importantly, which are comfortable. Make sure you only wear comfortable shoes. Also, consider wearing orthotics to prevent any future foot problem.
  • Always cover your feet with socks during cold weather and never walk without wearing shoes to protect your feet from accidental injuries.
  • Consult a foot doctor if you notice any unusual changes or any sores, cuts or injuries on your feet during your regular self-examination of your feet.
  • Ensure that you take your diabetes medicines prescribed by your doctor regularly and also ensure that your blood sugar levels are maintained at proper levels.

If you are a diabetic and suffering from a foot infection that is not showing any signs of healing, Call the certified foot care professionals from Comfort Stride Foot Care Clinic today at 647-560-1030 or Contact us to book a consultation at your first convenience.

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