DIABETES AND YOUR FEET

Advice from YourPodiatric Physician

DIABETES EARLY WARNING SIGNSThere are certain physical changes that manifest themselves in the foot and may be “indicators” of diabetes:

• Dryness and itching of the skin (feet and legs)

• Tingling and burning sensations (particularly in the toes or sole areas)

• Muscle cramps

• The appearance of small localized areas of redness or blueness, particularly at the ends of the toes and in the heel areas

• Frequent splitting of the skin around the heels and between the toes

• Unaccountable and sudden sharp pains that are short-lived

• The delayed healing of sores and scratches of the skin

• Thickening or breaking off of toenails

• Swelling at the ankle or the top of the foot; Occasionally, the toes feel puffy

• Increased or decreased sensitivity to heat or pain

• “Coolness” of skin temperature

All of us are likely to have problems with our feet, but diabetics may develop serious problems more quickly and have more complications, expecially when circulation or nerves are impaired. The key for the diabetic is to view all foot problems as potentially dangerous and seek podiatric care as soon as they occur.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association410 North Gadsden StreetTallahassee, Florida 32301

Phone: 1-800-277-FEET (3338)www.fpma.com

LEG EXERCISES FOR DIABETICSDiabetics are more likely than others to develop circulatory disturbances in the legs and feet. With daily exercise, it is possible to prevent serious damage.

1Walking: Take a brisk, daily walk of 1/2 to 1 hour. Try to increase the distance

every day.2 Staircase exercise: Walk briskly up

a fl ight of stairs using only the ball of the foot.

3Stretching the calf muscles: Lean with the palms of your hands against a wall,

keeping your feet some distance away, heels fi rmly on the fl oor. Bend your arms 10 times, keeping your back and legs straight. This counteracts leg cramps.

4 Chair exercise: Sit down on a chair and raise yourself up 10 times, keeping your

arms crossed.5 Tiptoe exercise: Hold onto a chair

and raise and lower yourself on your toes on that spot.

6 Knee bending: Do deep knee bends 10 times, while holding onto a chair. Keep

your back straight.

7 Heel raising: Raise up on the balls of your feet and then down on your

heels, about 20 times. Then put your whole weight, fi rst on one leg and then on the other.

8 Leg sweeps: Stand with one leg slightly raised, on a book or block.

Hold onto a chair or table and swing the other leg to-and-fro 10 times. Change to the other leg and repeat.

9 Wave your feet: Sit down on the fl oor and lean backwards. Shake your feet

until they are relaxed and warm.

IMPORTANT CARE FOR FEET OF THE DIABETIC1. Have your feet professionally examined at least twice a year.

2. Wash your feet daily and dry them well. Always wear clean socks or hosiery.

3. Inspect your feet daily. Check for redness, blisters, cuts or scratches, cracks between toes, discolorations, or any other change. Monitor minor abrasions, keep them clean and treat with antiseptics recommended by your podiatric physician. If you notice an infection, a change or abnormality, notify your podiatric physician promptly. Because diabetes may cause loss of feeling in your feet, regular inspection is essential. You could have an infection and not know it.

4. Avoid actions that restrict circulation to your feet, such as smoking, sitting with your legs crossed, and exposing your feet and legs to cold or heat.

5. Avoid burns, including excessive sunburn. Do not put your feet in hot water or add hot water to a bath without testing the water temperature. Test the water with your elbow. Avoid hot water bottles and heating pads.

6. Do not use over-the-counter corn cures. Many of these preparations contain acid and can destroy tissue.

7. Prevent cuts and irritations. Do not walk barefoot or wear run-down shoes or worn hosiery. Do not treat your own foot problems with sharp instruments or dig into the corners of your toenails.

8. When toenails are trimmed, be sure they are straight across and not below the top of the toe.

9. Wear shoes that fi t. The widest part of the shoe should follow the natural outline of your foot and be snug, but not tight. There should be about three-fourths of an inch of space between the big toe and the shoe. The upper portion of the shoe should be soft and fl exible. The lining should be smooth and free of ridges, wrinkles, or seams.

You should also keep in mind, when seeing your podiatric physician for treatment, that your podiatric physician will recognize any change in your diabetes and will promptly recommend that you go back to see the doctor who is treating you for that condition. Often, this will result in your receiving necessary treatment earlier than would have otherwise been possible.