What Does Diabetes Do to My Feet?

Do you have diabetes? If you do, you could be at risk for foot problems. Caring for your feet when you have diabetes can help you avoid serious foot injury. Working with your foot doctor in Pflugerville, TX, can help. Dr. Jeffrey Lamour provides foot care services for people with diabetes.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?

People who have diabetes often suffer from problems that can put their feet at risk. It all starts when high blood sugar causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves in the feet.

Nerve damage can cause foot numbness, so patients can’t feel pain from foot injuries. At the same time, damage to the blood vessels in the feet causes poor blood flow and slow healing, putting the feet at higher risk for infection.

Foot infection can lead to gangrene, a problem that occurs when the infected tissues die. Ultimately, infected feet that go untreated may need amputation.

How Can I Take Care of My Feet If I Have Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, there are many things you can do to take care of your feet.

• Check your feet daily for sores, cuts, and ulcers. If you have a foot injury, talk to your foot doctor.
• Remove corns and calluses safely. Your foot doctor will likely need to help you with this.
• Wash your feet daily with warm, soapy water. Dry your feet when you’re done.
• Walk daily.
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit well.
• Wiggle your toes and circle your feet throughout the day to keep the blood flowing.
• Don’t walk barefoot, even when you’re indoors.
• Put your feet up when you’re sitting to promote better blood flow.

Have Diabetes? Need to Care For Your Feet? Call Today

If you have diabetes, your foot doctor can help you learn how to care for your feet. Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA provides diabetic foot care in Pflugerville, TX. To seek foot care, call Dr. Lamour’s office today to make an appointment.