5 Steps to Take for Diabetic Foot Care

Foot care should be a high priority when you have diabetes. Consider these proven steps for protecting your feet and, in turn, your overall well-being.

When you have diabetes, taking care of your feet may be as important as managing your blood sugar. Because diabetes interferes with your ability to produce or use the hormone insulin, you can develop nerve and blood flow issues that negatively impact your feet.

In addition to taking any prescribed medication, eating a diabetes-friendly diet, and staying active, make sure you’re prioritizing top-notch foot care.

At Babak Kosari, DPM, in Northridge and Santa Clarita, California, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Babak Kosari, DPM, FACFAS, provides expert diabetes foot care to bolster your wellness and protect you from complications. Here are five diabetes-friendly practices he recommends.

1. Wear appropriate shoes

Going barefoot or wearing tight, worn out, or unsupportive shoes raises the risk of injury for most people. Having diabetes increases these risks, and their complications, even further.

Even a minor cut can become a slow-healing ulcer when you have diabetes. Left ignored, diabetic ulcers can lead to infection, tissue damage, and in severe cases, the eventual need for amputation.

Ideal shoes provide good support, comfort, and protection without squeezing your toes into narrow ends. Even when you’re indoors, wear comfortable and supportive shoes or slippers.

2. Examine your feet daily

Diabetes can lead to nerve damage (neuropathy) that reduces sensitivity in your feet, making things like wounds and swelling less easy to notice without examination.

No matter what footwear you choose, take a close look at your feet every day. Doing so can help ensure that any cuts or ulcers are addressed and alleviated early on.

3. Maintain good foot hygiene

Good foot hygiene can go a long way in protecting your feet while managing diabetes. Good washing habits, for example, stave off infections and ulcers from poor circulation and neuropathy.

Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water, using a mild soap. Once you’re done, dry your feet well, including between your toes. Blot your feet dry gently, rather than giving them a harsh rub.

Keep your feet moisturized by applying a quality cream or lotion. Don’t forget to moisturize your heels, which are vulnerable to dryness due to having fewer oil glands.

4. Stay appropriately active

A large-scale study that analyzed the link between routine physical activity and lower extremity problems in people with diabetes showed that more activity means fewer foot problems.

Participants who exercised more often or intensely than inactive participants had a significantly reduced risk of lower extremity amputation. Smart exercises when you have diabetes include brisk walking, biking, swimming, and resistance training with bands or handheld weights.

5. Work with a qualified professional

While taking care of your feet at home is hugely helpful, little compares to the support and guidance of a qualified expert. Dr. Kosari can diagnose and treat any diabetes-related foot ailments you’re dealing with and offer personalized preventive tips.

Research has shown that podiatrist care lowers the risk of foot amputation and hospitalization in people with diabetes. One study revealed that this is particularly true if you have a diabetic foot ulcer and kidney failure.

Diabetic foot care in Northridge and Santa Clarita, California

To learn more about diabetic foot care or schedule a podiatry exam, call 818-831-1000 to reach your nearest Babak Kosari, DPM, office in Northridge or Santa Clarita, California, today. You can also use our online booking feature to make an appointment anytim