Happy Feet, Healthy You

By Roberta Kleinman|2014-05-01T16:47:53-04:00Updated: April 15th, 2009|Foot Care, Newsletters|0 Comments

April is Foot Health awareness month. Most of us overlook our feet when we think about our health. For people with diabetes, foot care is essential to preventing complications and serious conditions. Here are ways to maintain proper foot care and avoid potential complications such as nerve damage or amputation.

  1. Keep blood sugars monitored daily and maintain your 3 month blood sugar average (HbA1C) at 6.5% – 7%. Controlling your HbA1C gives you an opportunity of not developing peripheral neuropathy – a common diabetes complication that affects the nerves due to excess sugar in the blood. Nerve damage or neuropathy usually begins with severe pain and tingling, eventually leading to numbness and loss of sensation. With a loss of sensation, you may be prone to an infection from an foot injury you can’t feel.
  2. Examine your feet and legs daily – especially the soles of your feet and between the toes. Check for corns, calluses, open cuts, skin color changes, hot spots, blisters, swelling, athletes foot and ingrown toe nails. This will help you avoid more serious wounds.
  3. Wash your feet daily and use mild soap. Remember to wash & dry each toe as a single unit and use luke warm water. Use a soft towel to dry them. Remember not to soak your feet which adds to skin breakdown and fungus. Usually an over the counter product like Lamasil can help treat fungus but always check with your physician.
  4. Apply lotion when you are done with your shower or bath and the foot is still moist for maximum absorption. People with diabetes have extremely dry skin, especially when the HbA1C is out of control. A plain white, non-fragrant cream is best. Avoid putting lotion between your toes, which can lead to fungus. Powder such as corn starch is acceptable for usage in between the toes.
  5. If your insurance covers podiatrist visits, let your podiatrist be responsible for nail trimming. The appointment cycle is usually every 2-3 months depending on how fast your nails grow. Keep your nails trimmed to avoid ingrown toenails. Your podiatrist can watch out for fungus called onychomycosi, which can become a chronic problem for people with diabetes.
  6. Never walk barefoot inside or outside and try to wear closed toe shoes and socks. This will help you avoid injuries or wounds. In the summer, sturdy sandals with thick soles and protection near the toes help reduce perspiration and risk of fungus. Changing shoes daily helps dry out perspiration from the previous day. Spraying with Lysol once a week can also be helpful. Wear slippers in the house, pool shoes in the ocean or pool, and socks to bed if your feet are cold.
  7. Be careful in the bath or hot tub. Make sure the temperature is 105 degrees – anything less can increase infection rate and anything more can increase a burn risk.
  8. Try to elevate your feet when you are home, especially when they swell at the end of the day. Treat yourself after a long day!
  9. Ask your podiatrist about diabetic footwear which may be covered yearly by Medicare. Today’s footwear styles are attractive and versatile.
  10. Ask your doctor or podiatrist about vitamin supplements. Alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant, and B-100 complex can reduce symptoms of neuropathy. Speak with your doctor about topical pain relievers such as Neuragen PN, or oral medications such as Neurontin, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Topamax and others.
  11. Finally – make sure to have your physician check your feet during every regular check-up.

Keep your feet moving, clean, protected, healthy and very happy!

About the Author: Roberta Kleinman

Roberta Kleinman, RN, M. Ed., CDE, is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator. She grew up in Long Island, NY. Her nursing training was done at the University of Vermont where she received a B.S. R.N. Robbie obtained her Master of Education degree, with a specialty in exercise physiology, from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the American Diabetes Association as well as the South Florida Association of Diabetes Educators. She worked with the education department of NBMC to help educate the hospital's in-patient nurses about diabetes. She practices a healthy lifestyle and has worked as a personal fitness trainer in the past. She was one of the initiators of the North Broward Diabetes Center (NBMC) which started in 1990 and was one of the first American Diabetes Association (ADA) certified programs in Broward County, Florida for nearly two decades. Robbie has educated patients to care for themselves and has counseled them on healthy eating, heart disease, high lipids, use of glucometers, insulin and many other aspects of diabetes care. The NBMC Diabetes Center received the Valor Award from the American Diabetes Center for excellent care to their patients. Robbie has volunteered over the years as leader of many diabetes support groups. More about Nurse Robbie

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