Living with diabetes or pre-diabetes means paying special attention to your health, especially when it comes to your feet. When blood sugars are elevated, the body is more susceptible and at higher risk for complications, especially the lower limbs. These complications can include:
- Infections
- Sores
- Ulcers
Why Are Feet at Risk with Diabetes?
There are two major ways diabetes can affect your feet:
- Poor Circulation: Reduced blood flow to your feet. This is because the increase in sugar levels affect the blood circulation. The small blood vessels are particularly impacted and decrease blood flow to the feet. This greatly impacts a person’s ability to heal from even minor cuts and scrapes. Untreated wounds can lead to infections, ulcers, and amputation. All of which can be life-threatening.
- Nerve Damage or Neuropathy: This is the feeling of pins and needles in the feet. This condition can impair your ability to sense an injury and can lead to skin breakdown and infection.
For these reasons, even small injuries can lead to more serious complications if not addressed. There are several preventative measures you can do, and proper footwear is a great place to start.
The Role of a Good Shoe
To reduce your risk of developing foot issues, wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes is important. A well-fitted shoes provides the following:
- Protection: Quality shoes act as a physical barrier, reducing the chances of scrapes, cuts or other injuries.
- Comfort and Support: supportive, comfortable shoes reduce pressure points which reduces the chance of blisters, corns or callouses that can turn into ulcers.
- Circulation: Well-fitting shoes do not restrict blood flow; this is crucial for patients with diabetes. Many times, people that have neuropathy choose shoes that are too tight because they cannot feel their feet and feel more secure. This is dangerous because too tight can cause loss of circulation and increase pressure points on the feet.
Diabetic-Friendly Shoe
It is important to remember not all shoes will do. When looking for a shoe it is important to remember the following tips:
- Soft, Seamless Interiors: seams or rough material inside the shoe can lead to friction and sores, increasing the risk of diabetic ulcers. Look for options with soft, smooth interiors.
- Wide Toe Box: You should be able to wiggle your toes in the shoe, look for a shoe that does not narrow at the end. This will prevent squeezing or rubbing, which can cause blisters or irritation.
- Proper Fit: The shoe should fit snugly, you want enough room to wiggle your toes, but not enough space that your foot slides around in the shoe. Either too big or too small can lead to blistering of the skin.
- Cushioned, Supportive Soles: Cushioning can help to absorb shock, and arch support can reduce pressure on sensitive areas of the foot.
- Adjustable Fastenings: Velcro or Laces allow you to adjust the fit of the shoe if needed throughout the day, especially if your feet swell. This decreases pressure points on the feet.
Dailey Tips for Healthy Feet
In addition to wearing proper shoes, here are some daily tips to keep your feet healthy:
- Check your feet: Visually check your feet daily. If you cannot bend enough to look at them, have someone look at them for you or use a hand-held mirror. Inspect your feet for any cuts, swelling, blisters, redness. Catching problems early can prevent more serious issues down the road.
- Keep your feet clean, dry and moisturized: Keeping the feet clean, dry and moisturized, especially between toes can prevent infections and skin breakdown.
- Cut Toenails Straight Across: Cutting straight across will prevent ingrown toenails, which can lead to infection. If you cannot cut your nails, consider seeking the help of an advanced footcare nurse or chiropodist at BioPed.
- Stay Active: light exercise can improve the blood circulation in your lower limbs. Even walking for 30 minutes a day can drastically improve your health.
Remember, taking care of your feet is a critical part of managing diabetes. By investing in quality footwear and following good footcare habits, you can reduce your risk of complications and keep moving forward. Your feet work hard for you, give them the care they deserve!
