Diabetic Foot Checks Performed in Orlando, FL
Diabetic foot ulcers are very common, but foot problems are not an inevitable consequence of diabetes. In fact, diabetic foot ulcers can often be prevented. The key is understanding how diabetes-related foot damage occurs and then taking proactive steps to avoid injuries.
What Causes Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that often affects diabetics. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, particularly in the legs and feet, leading to numbness and a reduced ability to feel pain and temperature changes. Along with the loss of pain comes the loss of the warning signal that normally protects the feet from common injuries, such as blisters from wearing tight shoes, burns from dipping into too-hot bathwater, and ulcers from stepping on sharp objects while barefoot.
Although peripheral neuropathy does not directly cause these injuries, it allows them to go unnoticed. Due to a loss of sensation, many diabetics are not prompted to seek wound care, which can prevent a minor injury from progressing into a serious complication. Other risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers include calluses on the weight-bearing parts of the feet and vascular damage, which can cause poor circulation and impair healing.
How to Care for Your Feet
By taking the following measures to protect your feet, you can reduce your risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers:
- Each day, examine your feet for cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails, and changes in sensation.
- Keep your toenails and calluses carefully trimmed.
- Wear shoes and socks at all times, and protect your feet from extreme hot and cold temperatures.
- Each day, wash your feet, dry them thoroughly, and apply moisturizer (avoiding the areas between your toes).
- See a doctor for a diabetic foot check at least once a year, or more often if you have a history of foot problems.
If you’re a member of Optimum Direct Care in Orlando, FL, regular diabetic foot checks are included in your membership. Dr. Toni “Muzzi” Muzzonigro will also be pleased to provide personalized patient education to help you prevent diabetic foot ulcers and their complications.