How to Treat a Diabetic Foot

Treating diabetic feet is a challenging and delicate process. People with diabetes must keep their feet dry and clean while also keeping them moisturized and free of any injury that could cause infection. The following steps will help you care for your diabetic feet, keeping them healthy for years to come.

Instructions

1. See your doctor regularly for your diabetes, making sure he examines your feet at each appointment. Also call the doctor immediately when you injure your foot or notice a rash or ulcers on your feet. Check between your toes for any irritations, as this area of your feet get especially sweaty which can lead to a rash.

2. Keep your feet clean and dry. Pat your feet dry or use a hair dryer after each bath or shower; scrubbing them with a towel could be irritating, especially if you have a rash or broken skin.

3. Treat overly dry feet with moisturizing creams specifically designed for preventing heel cracks that could become infected. Such cream is readily available over the counter and is stocked in the diabetic or foot care sections of most major drug stores.

4. Ask your doctor about prescribing special topical ointments and creams, paint-on nail treatment or oral medication for rash and toenail fungus, both of which are prevalent problems for diabetic feet.

5. Buy diabetic socks and shoes that are made from special, highly breathable materials designed to keep your feet dry. These are more expensive than regular shoes and socks, and are not available at most normal shoe outlets, but can be worth the investment to keep your feet healthy. Look for diabetic shoe stores, or for diabetic product sections in larger health care stores.

6. Wear footwear at all times, even while at home. Footwear helps protect your feet from injuries caused by stepping on things on the floor. While shoes aren't always necessary at home, you should at least wear thick socks or slippers.

Tips & Warnings

• Foot rash that resembles athletes foot but doesn't respond to normal over-the-counter treatment is one of the early warning signs of diabetes.

• Slipper socks (socks with non-skid rubber material on the sole) work great for foot protection around the house.

• High glucose levels that occur with uncontrolled diabetes can result in nerve damage and poor circulation. This could lead to a loss of feeling in the feet, causing a diabetic to not notice a foot injury as soon as it happens. Delayed care of an injury can lead to infection, which can result to eventual amputation. Chronic and severe diabetic foot problems account for the majority of foot amputations in the United States.

• Ask your doctor about any side effects or compatibility issues with oral prescription medications you take for your diabetes should the doctor also prescribe an oral medication for toenail fungus.