You wouldn’t think something that sounds as simple as blood sugar, could be so fatally complicated, but diabetes is a complex condition, encompassing all facets of the body….including your feet. Serving the triple threat, the condition affects the three major bodily systems, that is vascular, neurological and immune systems. When a diabetic’s blood sugar levels are left unchecked, blood vessels can constrict and harden and because our feet are the furthest thing from the heart, circulation to this area can decrease. High sugar levels can also affect nerve function and therefore diabetics can experience either loss of sensation or heighten sensitivity in the feet. Due to the affects the disease has on the immune system, diabetics are also more susceptible to illness and infection, this includes that of the feet.
But before we get too doom and gloom about it, despite the risk of complication, disorders of the feet are largely preventable in diabetics with proper foot care, good hygiene regular exercise and diet.
Podiatrist, Ben Sibley has seen it all when it comes to feet, he comments; “Diabetics suffer from a large range of conditions including, skin problems, corns and callouses, smelly feet (bromohydrosis to be technical) ulceration, nail problems and circulation issues, just to name a few.
“The most important advice I can pass onto diabetics, is not to underestimate the value of regular and rigorous at home foot care, with most of the above-mentioned conditions being preventable”.
“If you follow my daily foot care routine at home and ensure you regularly visit your health care team, including a podiatrist, you can by large prevent the nasty complications that can come with diabetes”.
Ben’s at home daily foot care routine.
- Check your feet daily, top, bottom and between the toes
- No barefeet inside or outside
- Apply cream to your feet before bed using diabetic moisturising cream
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- Address cuts, bruises and injuries at home with topical antiseptic or betadine and keep dressings dry and free from dirt hair animals etc.
- Nail Care every 3-6 weeks
- Cut nails straight across and file the corners with emry board
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- If you have hard skin on feet then use emry board after a shower 1-2 time per week or use a foot filer to reduce hard skin
- Update your shoes every 6-12 months. Here are four types of shoes every diabetic should have:
- Inside footwear – slide/slipper/secured shoe for older folk
- Outside footwear –enclosed toe, enclosed heel, velcro strap, lace, buckle
- Work Shoes – enclosed toe, enclosed heel, velcro strap, lace, buckle
- Exercise Shoes- enclosed toe, enclosed heel, velcro strap, lace, buckle
Regular exercise is also crucial to maintaining blood sugar levels whilst increasing circulation, this in turn will reducing the risk of foot disorders. Essentially, if you don’t use it, you lose it! Stay tuned for more professional advice on how to look after your feet.
You can find out more about the diabetes program offered at Northside Allied Health here.