Early Warning Signs of Diabetic Foot Complications And How to Address Them

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 16: The symptoms of diabetes differ from one person to another. However, the feet are generally at an increased risk of developing serious complications due to poor circulation or diabetes-related neuropathy. Diabetes-related neuropathy is an outcome of nerve damage caused by persistently high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Not managing or monitoring your blood sugar levels can cause serious diabetic foot complications, such as ulcers, gangrene, mobility issues, amputation, peripheral neuropathy, Charcot foot, and more. In severe cases, the patient can also lose feeling in their feet and legs.

What are the early symptoms of diabetic foot problems?

The early signs of diabetic-related foot complications vary, indicating the type of condition you’re likely to develop. Generally, the symptoms you should watch out for include:

• Frequent bleeding

• Pain

• Swelling

• Skin discolouration

• Foul smell

• Fluid or pus discharge

• Dry, cracked skin

• Tingling or burning sensation

• Thick, yellow toenails

• Loss of feeling

• Ingrown toenail

• A cut, sore, ulcer, or blister that won’t heal

How can you avoid diabetic foot problems?

You can prevent and treat common foot problems before they grow into serious complications with proper foot care. Keep in mind the following tips for good foot care.

1. Consult your doctor for medication, exercise, and nutrition to regulate diabetes. Ensure your blood sugar level remains within the range advised by the doctor.

2. If your feet’s blood flow is poor, check daily for blisters, calluses, redness, sores, or other problems.

3. Wash your feet every day with warm water and a mild soap. Check the water’s temperature with your elbow because nerve damage can also impact your hand’s sensation. Avoid soaking your feet. Use a soft towel to dry your feet completely, particularly between the toes.

4. If you have dry skin, apply a lotion for moisturisation after washing and drying your feet. Avoid putting lotion between the toes. Ask your doctor to recommend diabetic foot care products.

5. Use a pumice stone or emery board to smooth calluses and corns. Do this while or after bathing when the skin is softer.

6. Wear close-toed slippers or shoes always. Avoid walking barefoot.

7. Cut your nails straight across. Use a nail filer to round off the corners. Do not clip the sides with a nail cutter.

8. Wear well-fitting shoes and socks. Canvas or leather shoes are the best choice. The socks must have a soft elastic.

9. Stop smoking as the habit can worsen blood flow.

10. Wiggle your toes, place your feet up while sitting, and move your ankles frequently to keep the blood flowing to your feet. Do not keep your legs crossed for a long time.

Summing up

You must manage the early signs of foot and toe conditions to avoid more serious complications like abscess, gangrene, deformities, amputation, or Charcot’s foot. These signs include calluses, fungal infections, corns, hammertoes, blisters, ingrown toenails, etc.

A healthy lifestyle, regular foot care, and medical advice can help. You can deeply moisturise and soften dry and cracked skin, reduce inflammation and soothe irritation, and combat bacterial growth and fungal infections by regularly using diabetic foot care products. Detecting and monitoring the blood flow velocity and sensory perception such as vibration, hot and cold in arms and legs is also crucial in vascular disease diagnosis. Kody Medical is one of Chennai’s leading hand-held vascular Doppler and Diabetic foot care diagnostic machine suppliers. The portable vascular Doppler, vibration, and hot and cold perception devices are non-invasive and cost-effective. Dopplers use high-frequency sound waves to measure blood flow through your veins and arteries. Our Vibration, Hot and cold perception devices work to observe the sensory threshold of patients suffering from diabetes.

Source Link: https://kodymedical.com/2024/12/02/early-warning-signs-of-diabetic-foot-complications-and-how-to-address-them/

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