The Importance of Diabetic Foot Care

When you have diabetes, it is particularly important that you take special care of your feet. Individuals with diabetes often have poor blood circulation, which can result in a slower healing time for foot wounds and an increased risk of infection. A key aspect of diabetic foot care is checking the feet for wounds daily. In Centreville, VA, diabetic foot care is available at Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine, where Dr. James Hurst can assist you in developing a daily foot care routine. 

Diabetic Foot Problems

Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk for developing certain types of foot problems, which is one reason why it is so important to practice daily foot care. Foot wounds or injuries that are left untreated could lead to more serious problems, especially if an infection develops. Some serious foot conditions that could develop include: 

• Calluses or ulcers on the feet
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Foot swelling

The experienced podiatrist at our foot, ankle, and sports medicine office in Centreville, VA, provides diabetic foot care. The doctor can help you incorporate specific techniques and methods into your daily foot care routine so you can enjoy healthier feet. 

Caring for Diabetic Feet

There are several easy steps you can take to care for diabetic feet and keep them healthy. One of the most important things you can do in caring for your feet is check them daily for wounds and injuries. Checking the feet daily allows you to identify and treat wounds right away before they have a chance to become infected. Look for ingrown toenails, cuts, scratches, scrapes, bruises, blisters, punctures, or redness when checking the feet.

Caring for diabetic feet also includes taking the following measures and precautions:

• Wearing comfortable footwear 
• Wearing shoes that fit properly
• Wearing loose fitting socks to bed
• Moisturizing the feet every day
• Keeping feet warm, dry, and clean 
• Refraining from soaking feet in water
• Keeping the feet warm in cool or cold weather 
• Preventing ingrown toenails by clipping nails straight across 
• Stretching or moving around periodically throughout the day to improve circulation 
• Scheduling regular checkups with a podiatrist to ensure feet remain healthy 

Taking extra care of your feet when you are diabetic is extremely important. Proper foot care helps prevent an infection or a serious foot condition from developing. For diabetic foot care in Centreville, VA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hurst by calling Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine, Dr. Hurst at (703) 830-3338.