Diabetic Foot
Diabetes is the commonest cause of non-traumatic amputation of lower limb
Every 20 seconds a diabetic loses a toe or a foot or a leg.
The amputation is completely preventable. But the prevention should start as early as possible,preferrably right from the time of diagnosis. The most important step that you can take to save your feet at early stage of diabetes is keeping your blood sugar under control. So by making efforts to control your blood sugar in early years of diabetes when you have no problem, you actually prevent amputation of your feet ten years down the line. Is taking dietary precautions, exercising regularly, taking your medicine regularly too big a price to save your feet
Few simple tips for foot care in diabetics:
1. Never, never, never walk barefoot. Not even inside your home.
2. When you visit a religious place where you have to remove your shoes, visit only in early morning or late evening to avoid getting your feet burnt.
3. Do not use hot water bottle to warm your feet in winter. Don't place a heater near your feet. Don't sit too close to a fire-place.
4. Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Apply some moisturizer over the sole of your feet. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry the space between your toes. Don't apply any moisturizer between your toes.
5. Cut your toe-nails regularly. Cut them straight not deep into the corners.
6. Always wear cotton socks with shoes. Change your socks daily.
7. Choose right shoe. It should not be too tight. Toe-box should be wide. Always buy your shoes in the evening.
8. Check your feet daily by holding a mirror close to your feet. Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any wound or even discolouration.
9. Don't perform any self-surgery.
10. MOST IMPORTANT :Do not delay treatment for any wound on the foot by visiting quacks/babas who might say that it is a snake bite(popularly called Kakh in punjab,india)
2. When you visit a religious place where you have to remove your shoes, visit only in early morning or late evening to avoid getting your feet burnt.
3. Do not use hot water bottle to warm your feet in winter. Don't place a heater near your feet. Don't sit too close to a fire-place.
4. Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Apply some moisturizer over the sole of your feet. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry the space between your toes. Don't apply any moisturizer between your toes.
5. Cut your toe-nails regularly. Cut them straight not deep into the corners.
6. Always wear cotton socks with shoes. Change your socks daily.
7. Choose right shoe. It should not be too tight. Toe-box should be wide. Always buy your shoes in the evening.
8. Check your feet daily by holding a mirror close to your feet. Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any wound or even discolouration.
9. Don't perform any self-surgery.
10. MOST IMPORTANT :Do not delay treatment for any wound on the foot by visiting quacks/babas who might say that it is a snake bite(popularly called Kakh in punjab,india)