How To Care For Your Diabetic Foot At Home
The complications that occur as a result of high glucose levels can reduce blood flow to the lower extremities of the body, such as your feet. It can damage your veins and arteries. The problem can develop gradually when you do not regulate your blood sugar. That is why it is important to take good care of your diabetic foot.
When you treat your feet properly, they become less sensitive and wounds and infections are less likely to occur.
So how can you take care of your diabetic foot and prevent complications? Follow these tips:
What is a diabetic foot?
Too high blood sugar levels can cause many problems. For example, it can give you the so-called diabetic foot.
Diabetic feet can affect your quality of life. In the worst case, you can lose a significant portion of your sensitivity and are at risk of getting sores that can take a long time to heal.
These symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. But it is important to take care of it quickly and monitor it to prevent it from getting worse.
Ignoring the condition can lead to wounds and infections. Sometimes it gets so bad that the foot has to be amputated.
How to treat your diabetic foot yourself
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of cases of foot amputations due to diabetes could be prevented with basic treatment and care.
It is important to do everything possible to prevent injury to your feet. The wounds take a long time to heal and can lead to severe infections. Be consistent with your care, for the risk is still high, even if there are no sores or visible symptoms.
Follow these care tips:
Check your feet every day
Check your feet daily to keep an eye out for any abnormalities that require special treatment. Although there is no obvious problem, it is important to spend time looking at your feet.
Beware of symptoms such as:
- Sores or stomach ulcers
- Cracks
- Deformities
- Bruising or inflamed veins
Wash and disinfect
One of the basic habits to reduce the risk of foot infections is to wash your feet every day. Do this with products that help disinfect them.
When you wash your feet, you remove bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. As you can imagine, these can cause more serious problems if sores occur.
Also read: Homemade hygiene products: Five recipes to try
Avoid smoking
Tobacco is one of the factors that can accelerate the narrowing of the arteries. All diabetic patients should avoid smoking.
The toxins found in cigarettes affect the oxygen supply to your feet. They can also contribute to complications due to the lack of blood flow.
Use moisturizer
Use moisturizer to protect the skin. Your feet are extra sensitive if you have diabetes, but a good moisturizer can help keep your skin healthy and strong.
Use the cream daily to prevent cracks in your skin, minimizing the risk of infection.
Cut your nails
Cut your nails in a straight line to prevent them from growing into the skin. They should be cut in a way that does not damage the skin around the nails.
Wear comfortable shoes
Always wear comfortable shoes that provide air and space around your feet. It is one of the best things you can do for your diabetic foot. It helps prevent inflammation and infections.
Choose shoes that are made of smooth materials inside. Avoid gnawing shoes or a very closed one so that the skin can breathe easily.
Also read: 5 tips to prevent your new shoes from hurting
Avoid exercise that is hard on the feet
Daily exercise is one of the habits that helps regulate blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
However, it is important to ensure that the chosen activities are not too harsh for your feet.
To prevent ailments or wounds, it is best to choose activities such as:
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Yoga
- Pilates
If you have high blood sugar levels, it is important that you take care of your feet to prevent wounds and injuries. Also talk to your doctor about how to best manage your illness.
