Many people simply don’t realize the health-risks involved in being diabetic. Because so many people have been diagnosed with diabetes it’s sometimes seen as being an illness which isn’t really that big a deal.
Unfortunately for many sufferers it is a big deal and there are those who have lost their vision and even had to have their feet amputated. This doesn’t sound pleasant at all which is why fully understanding this illness is important. Whether you have diabetes yourself or know someone who does you should aim to be as knowledgeable as you can.
Looking after your feet is necessary if you are diabetic and there are a number of things you need to be careful about. First of all you should never walk about barefoot. Even in your own home. There could be pins, screws, stones, toys or any number of other things lying around. You don’t want to step on anything hard like this as you can damage your skin.
Also be very mindful about the temperature. Avoid extreme temperatures if you can and if you have been outside in freezing cold temperatures, make sure you don’t warm your feet up too quickly in front of the fire. This can cause chilblains which can be very painful.
Look at your feet everyday to make sure you don’t have any cuts, swelling, blisters, corns and such like. When you notice any problems you can then take action. Some people try to self-medicate but just make the matter even worse. Instead you should go to a podiatrist for help.
When cutting your toe nails, you need to avoid causing them to become ingrown. To do this, you should cut the nail straight across and not too short. If the edges of the nail are sharp, you can use a nail file to make them more rounded.
When it comes to wearing socks you need to avoid the regular type with the tight elastic band. Instead you should buy socks specifically for those who are diabetic because they will be looser and not cause problems with your circulation.
The same goes for shoes. If you buy regular shoes you might find that they are too tight. There are actually shoes designed specifically for diabetic sufferers. If you do decide to wear sandals without socks, make sure you remember to use a high SPF on your feet to prevent them from burning.
Although the above tips might seem really dull and boring, it’s for your own good. Don’t become complacent because if you are neglectful of your feet you could end up having them amputated. Not very pleasant, eh?
