Your feet are very important to you in general, but especially when you are diabetic.
There could be many changes with your feet including:
👣 Pins and needles/numbness in the toes (neuropathy)
👣 Lack of any feeling in the feet
👣 Clawed toes
👣 Prominent base of 5th metatarsal (bone that sticks out on the side of the foot)
👣 Loss of balance
👣 Thin skin that cuts easily—can develop ulcers
👣 Decreased healing time
👣 Less hair growth on feet (less oxygen)
Not that Diabetes will do all of this to your feet! It can be dependent of sugar levels and activity levels. However, as a diabetic, you definitely do need to think about your feet! Here are some tips to help maintain good foot health:
👟 Wear shoes as often as possible. Protect your feet from walking on objects or stubbing your toes. Shoes will also provide more balance and stability.
👣 Buy shoes that are deep and round at the toe box and have minimal seams to rub on the foot. Easiest way to see if the shoe fits your foot is to take out insole and place foot on it. If foot overhangs the the shoe does not fit shape of foot.
🤕 Always check insides of shoes with hands before placing feet. If you are losing feeling you may not notice the LEGO piece your child placed in there for safe keeping.
🚫 Check your feet nightly for redness (rubbing) or blisters. If you can’t see bottom of feet, buy a mirror and put on an angle or an extended pole.
🧑⚕️ See your physician and Pedorthist regularly. It’s much easier to help you if we can catch rubbing/infections/discomfort earlier rather than later.
Have questions? Send us a message!
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