Diabetic Foot Care
You must care for your feet daily if you are diabetic. Wounds often take longer to heal with diabetes, so there is an increased risk of developing an infection. Small or minor foot wounds are not always readily noticeable and can lead to infection, so it is essential to check the feet daily. Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd, the knowledgeable foot doctors at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman, Butte, and Anaconda MT can help you develop a diabetic foot care plan to help you stay healthy.
Ways to Care for Diabetic Feet
One of the reasons it is so important to develop good foot care habits is that wounds tend to take longer to heal for patients with diabetes, due to slower blood circulation and other factors. The longer the healing process, the more risk there is of developing an infection. An untreated infection that spreads can lead to more serious health problems, including the possibility of amputation.
There are several steps you can take to care for your diabetic feet. For example, scheduling regular foot exams with your skilled Bozeman, MT foot doctor is an excellent way to ensure your feet remain healthy. The podiatrist can examine your feet for wounds, injuries, circulation problems, or signs of infection and treat potential issues right away. Steps you can take to care for your feet daily at home include:
- Moisturizing the feet daily
- Wearing comfortable shoes
- Wearing loose socks to bed
- Checking for foot wounds daily
- Avoid soaking the feet in the water
- Keeping the feet clean, warm, and dry
- Wearing warm socks and shoes during cold weather
- Preventing ingrown toenails by trimming nails straight across
- Improving blood circulation by periodically stretching and moving about during the day
Checking for Foot Wounds
Checking for foot wounds daily plays an essential role in proper diabetic foot care. When examining the feet, look for scratches, cuts, blisters, bruises, redness, punctures, and ingrown toenails. If any wounds or injuries are discovered, apply appropriate first aid measures right away. For example, a cut or puncture on the feet should be cleaned, dried, and bandaged to help prevent infection. It is also a good idea to see a Bozeman, MT foot doctor, or another doctor to ensure the wound is healing properly.
Taking care of your feet when you have diabetes helps prevent infection, which can promote better health. Dr. Dallin Greene or Dr. Nathan Judd can assist you with developing an effective daily foot care routine. To schedule an appointment with one of our foot doctors, call Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman MT at (406) 206-6366. You can also call (406) 782-2278 to contact our office in Butte or our satellite location in Anaconda.
