Why does diabetes cause foot problems?
Diabetes causes foot problems because it negatively affects your nervous and circulatory systems.
Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
Nerve damage, a common consequence of high blood glucose, can cause problems like burning, tingling, or electrical sensations and foot numbness.
Foot numbness is a particular issue among diabetics because it means you can’t feel if you step on a rock, cut your foot, or stand on blistering hot pavement and sear your foot pads.
Cuts, sores, blisters, and other foot damage rapidly worsen when untreated, which can lead to open wounds and infections.
Circulatory system damage
Diabetes can cause circulatory system damage, which is often particularly bad in the peripheral blood vessels that go to your feet. Blood vessels often narrow significantly when you have diabetes, so less blood reaches your feet.
Poor circulation leads to slow healing, making it hard to recover from a wound. In the most severe cases when an infection never heals, you could experience tissue death called gangrene.
If you have diabetes, you can manage your risk for serious foot issues by seeing Dr. Geoghan for regular diabetic foot care and looking after your feet at home.
What is diabetic foot care?
Dr. Geoghan stresses preventive care through regular in-office visits to help you avoid common mistakes and guide you to peak foot health. When you’re as healthy as possible, you can fight infections and other common diabetic foot issues faster and more successfully.
If you experience common issues like nerve pain, numbness, slow healing, or any other foot issues, Dr. Geoghan treats them using minimally invasive evidence-based protocols.
In the rare cases that require surgery, Dr. Geoghan performs the most conservative procedures possible. She can use limb-sparing procedures that reduce your risk of amputation while removing dead tissue for severe wounds, ulcers, and infections.
What diabetic foot care can I do at home?
Diabetic foot care begins in your own home. Some guidelines to follow daily include:
- Monitor your blood sugar
- Examine your feet
- Wash and dry your feet
- Apply moisturizer everywhere but between your toes
- Wear fresh socks, changing when damp
- Don’t apply heat to your feet
- Check your shoes before wearing
- Wear shoes or slippers at all times
- Trim toenails in a straight line as needed
If you have any corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, or other issues, don’t attempt treatment at home. Dr. Geoghan can safely treat your issue and prevent infections and other complications.
For expert diabetic foot care, call the office of Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, or schedule an appointment online today.
