General Foot Care Information

Diabetic Foot Care: It is so important.

Diabetes can cause two major problems that affect the feet:

•  a reduction of blood circulation to the feet and legs, resulting in slow healing and decrease resistance to infection; and
• damage to the nerves of the feet and legs, resulting in loss of protective sensation.This can result in infections, gangrene, foot ulcers and if not controlled properly amputations.

Ipswich has the highest foot amputations in Queensland and 50% of all amputations are diabetic related.

To prevent complications and amputations control your diabetes, quit smoking, reduce your blood pressure and adopt a healthy diet low in saturated fats and high in fibre.

Tips for preventing foot problems

1. Check your feet every day. Look for any change in the colour or shape of your feet, redness, swelling, cuts, blisters or breaks of the skin. Pay careful attention to the skin between your toes.

2. If you have difficulty reaching or seeing your feet, use a mirror, or ask a friend or relative to help you.

3. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly each day. If the skin on your feet or legs is dry, use a
moisturiser eg. Sorbolene cream.

4. Toenails should be cut straight across, and rough edges filed gently. Never cut down the sides of your nails.

5. If you have corns or calluses on your feet, or have difficulty cutting your toenails, seek help from your Podiatrist. Don’t use “home cures” on corns, calluses or warts.

6. Wear clean socks or stockings every day. Avoid socks or knee high stockings with tight tops as they can restrict your circulation.

7. Avoid walking barefoot—this minimises your chance of injuring your feet.

8. Wear correctly fitting shoes. Don’t depend on shoes stretching.

9. Remember to inspect your shoes regularly. Check for stones, nails or rough stitching inside the shoes.

10. Be extremely careful when using heaters, water bottles or electric blankets—you may not be aware of burning.

If you have a foot problem, seek help immediately from your Podiatrist.

People with Diabetes need to take extra care of their feet. Selecting good footwear is one of the most important factors in protecting your feet. Good footwear can prevent or assist in the treatment of many foot problems. Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear, however, can cause many foot problems.

If you ever notice red marks on your feet when you remove your shoes, they may not fit correctly. Calluses, corns and blisters are most often caused by shoes.