🦶 November is Diabetes Awareness Month! 🌟 Remember, managing diabetes includes taking extra care of your feet—schedule a check-in with your podiatrist to keep them healthy and strong. #DiabetesAwareness #FootHealth #Podiatry #FFLC

Robert Bello, DPM, FACFAS, DABPS
Kevin Lam, DPM, FACFAS

Overview:
– How diabetes affects the feet
– Why care is crucial
– Foot care tips
– Amputation prevention
– Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating people about diabetes management and the importance of preventive care. One essential yet often overlooked aspect of diabetes management is proper foot care. From a podiatrist’s perspective, taking care of your feet is essential for overall health, particularly for people living with diabetes. Let’s explore how diabetes impacts foot health and what podiatrist recommend for those managing the condition.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Feet?

Diabetes, a particularly when blood sugar levels are not well-controlled, can have a profound effect on foot health. Two primary ways diabetes impacts the feet are through neuropathy (nerve damage) and poor circulation.

1. Diabetic Neuropathy: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the nerves over time, leading to peripheral neuropathy, which primarily affects the feet and legs. Neuropathy reduces the sensation in your feet, making it difficult to detect injuries, sores, or blisters. Without feeling these issues, even a minor cut can develop into a serious problem without the person realizing it.

2. Poor Circulation: Diabetes can also lead to reduced blood flow to the feet due to the narrowing of blood vessels, known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Poor circulation makes it more challenging for injuries to heal, increasing the risk of infections that can quickly escalate into severe complications.

Together, neuropathy and circulation issues create a dangerous combination that puts diabetics at high risk for foot ulcers and infections, often leading to amputations in severe cases. In fact, foot ulcers are the most common reason for hospitalization among people with diabetes.

Why Diabetic Foot Care is Crucial

A proactive approach to foot care plays a major role in preventing complications and preserving mobility and independence. Since the feet are one of the first places to show signs of diabetic complications, podiatrists play a crucial role in a diabetic patient’s care team. Through regular checkups, careful monitoring, and preventive measures, podiatrists help patients keep their feet healthy and avoid severe complications.

Essential Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes

From a podiatrist’s perspective, here are practical steps anyone with diabetes should take to keep their feet healthy:

1. Daily Foot Inspections: Since neuropathy reduces sensation, it’s essential for diabetic patients to visually check their feet daily. Look for any signs of cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail issues. Using a mirror or asking a family member to help can make this easier.

2. Maintain Good Hygiene: Clean your feet daily with mild soap and warm (not hot) water, and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. After washing, apply a moisturizing lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin, which can lead to infections.

3. Wear Proper Footwear: Properly fitted shoes are crucial for diabetics. Shoes should support the foot without causing pressure points or rubbing, which can lead to blisters or calluses. Diabetic shoes or orthotic inserts may be recommended by your podiatrist to reduce stress on the feet and provide additional protection.

4. Trim Toenails Carefully: Toenails should be trimmed straight across to prevent ingrown nails, which can easily become infected in people with diabetes. If it’s difficult to see or reach your feet, or if you have neuropathy, it’s best to have your toenails trimmed by a podiatrist or a professional experienced with diabetic foot care.

5. Avoid Going Barefoot: Walking barefoot, even at home, increases the risk of injury to the feet. Cuts or abrasions can lead to serious infections, so always wear supportive shoes, even indoors.

6. Keep Blood Sugar in Check: Blood sugar control is foundational in managing diabetes and preventing complications, including those affecting the feet. Following your diabetes management plan with the guidance of your healthcare provider is crucial.

7. Quit Smoking: Smoking restricts blood flow and worsens circulation, particularly to the extremities. Since diabetes already compromises blood flow, quitting smoking is one of the most beneficial lifestyle changes for people with diabetes.

When to See a Podiatrist

Diabetic patients should see a podiatrist regularly, typically once every 6-12 months, for preventive care and screenings. However, if you notice any changes in your feet, such as sores, cuts, swelling, or changes in skin color or temperature, see your podiatrist immediately. Waiting for an injury or infection to “heal on its own” can be dangerous for those with diabetes. For people with diabetes, preventive foot care isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential. Regular visits to a podiatrist allow early detection of any issues, enabling quick intervention before a small problem turns into a severe complication. During these visits, podiatrists will examine the feet for any signs of neuropathy, infections, or vascular issues, ensuring that every step is taken to keep your feet healthy.

Diabetic Foot Care and Amputation Prevention

One of the most serious consequences of neglected foot care in diabetes is amputation is significantly higher for people with diabetes, yet regular foot care and routine checkups with a podiatrist can prevent up to 85% of these amputations. By treating wounds early, preventing infection, and addressing circulation issues, podiatrists play a critical role in amputation prevention.
Podiatrists can work with other members of a patient’s care team to create a comprehensive care plan that includes blood sugar management, vascular assessments, and regular podiatric evaluations. This holistic approach helps manage diabetes-related foot risks proactively.

Celebrating Diabetes Awareness Month

November’s Diabetes Awareness Month is a perfect time to prioritize diabetes management and preventive care. For those with diabetes, it’s an ideal moment to schedule a visit with a podiatrist and assess foot health. Healthcare providers can leverage this month to emphasize the importance of foot care, providing education on simple yet vital steps to maintain foot health and prevent complications.

Diabetes awareness isn’t limited to blood sugar management – it involves caring for every part of the body affected by the disease, especially the feet. By practicing diligent self-care and seeing a podiatrist regularly, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of serious foot complications, helping them maintain active, fulfilling lives.

If you are diabetic or possibly diabetic, contact Dr. Bello’s office at (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or visit us online at www.NaplesPodiatrist.com to schedule an appointment.

Serving Southwest Florida Since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties. Offering pediatric to geriatric family care: Ingrown Toenails, Heel Pain, Bunions, Foot / Ankle Arthritis Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Foot / Ankle Surgery, Custom Orthotics, and Diabetic Wound Care. In office X-rays, ultrasounds, and minor surgical suite exam rooms. Practice powered by EMR and advanced technologies. Home of the Lam Minimally Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery! Come Discover Why Patients Love Our 5-Star Foot & Ankle Care! Same Day Appointments! Easy Online Appointment Scheduling.