How Diabetes Affects Your Feet

This month we’re raising awareness for American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a condition that affects millions and their health each year. Unfortunately, foot problems are common when you have diabetes. To take care of your feet the best you can, it’s important to learn about how diabetes can impact foot health and how to prevent it. The staff at Advanced Feet and Ankle Care are sharing some helpful information and tips on how to manage foot care with this chronic disease.

How Diabetes Can Cause Trouble

When you have diabetes, you have high blood sugar. Over time, this can damage your nerves and blood vessels, primarily in your feet. Nerve damage creates numbness, tingling, pain, or even loss of feeling in your feet. If you can’t feel any pain in your feet, it’s hard to tell when a potential problem shows up. You might be walking around with a wound or infection for weeks without realizing it, especially if it’s occurring on the underside of your foot.

What To Watch Out For

Even small cuts or blisters can become serious foot ailments when it comes to diabetes. One of the best ways you can prevent that is by regularly checking your feet for unusual findings. Here are some things to

• Blisters

• Cuts

• Ulcers

• Dry, cracked feet

• Calluses

• Cold feet

Wounds can get infected, and because diabetes affects the way you heal, it’s easy for complications to arise. Infections and poor blood flow can lead to gangrene. In worst-case scenarios, amputation and surgery are necessary. If you spot anything questionable, contact your podiatrist as soon as possible.

Preventing a Disaster

Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent a worst-case scenario situation. Controlling blood sugar is at the top of the list, as it will help lessen damage to your blood vessels and nerves. Alongside that, here are other ways to keep your feet healthy:

• Check your feet every day

• Wash your feet every day

• Work with a podiatrist to keep your feet pain-free

• Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks

• Never walk barefoot

• Look into orthotics

Advanced Feet and Ankle Care is here to assist you with any of your podiatry needs! To make an appointment with Jason M. Grossman, DPM, and Paul A. Osemene, DPM, call us at (732) 679-4330 or click here to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Old Bridge and Sayreville offices are ready and eager to help.