How Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes is a serious disease, affecting your major body systems, including your immune, circulatory, and nervous systems. Diabetes affects your entire body, especially your extremities, including your feet. At Renaissance Foot & Ankle Center, which has been open for over 20 years, we have extensive experience treating many conditions, including diabetic foot care. When you have diabetes, you may experience:
- A foot injury that you may not feel due to loss of nerve sensation
- Nerve pain in your feet, known as peripheral neuropathy
- A small cut and blister that fails to heal
- Small injuries develop into painful wounds or infections
- A decrease in circulation, which may lead to tissue death, resulting in foot or toe amputations
How You Can Take Care of Your Feet When You Are Diabetic
When you have diabetes, daily foot care is very important. You need to:
- Stretch and exercise your ankles, feet, and toes to improve circulation
- Wash and dry your feet to reduce bacteria
- Apply moisturizer to your feet and ankles to keep skin from cracking
- Check your feet for cuts and blisters
- Apply antibiotic cream and bandages to foot or toe injuries
- Wear breathable socks and comfortable shoes to protect your feet and toes
- Avoid going barefoot to help prevent injuries
How Your Podiatrist Can Help with Diabetic Foot Care
Your podiatrist is an expert at diabetic foot care, and you should visit your podiatrist regularly when you have diabetes. Your podiatrist will:
- Examine your feet and toes, checking for injuries
- Evaluate the blood flow to your feet and toes
- Evaluate the nerve function in your feet and toes
Your podiatrist may recommend treatment to help minimize nerve pain, boost circulation, increase function, and reduce swelling in your feet caused by diabetes. Medications, orthotics, wound care, and assistive devices are often recommended for diabetic foot care. We also offer in-office X-rays and other services to help manage and monitor foot health effectively.
Learn More About Diabetic Foot Care
To learn more about diabetic foot care and services available from your podiatrist, call Dr. Aparna Duggirala and Dr. Alan Deroy at Renaissance Foot & Ankle Center in Greenbelt, MD. We proudly serve Bowie & Prince George's County, MD. You can reach them in the office by calling (301) 441-2655, so call today.