Conditions

DIABETES
Although most people with diabetes are not likely to have serious problems with their feet, foot care is extremely important to the diabetic and you should the follow the advice given below. Diabetes can result in loss of sensation and or reduced circulation to the feet. This combination increases the chances of ulcers developing on the feet. Diabetics should visit their podiatrists regularly for check ups and should any problem arise attend immediately. Below is some basic advice for diabetics to follow.

FOOTWEAR
Wear well fitting shoes with soft uppers. Lace up shoes are recommended because they hold your foot in place and prevent it slipping forward. They also can leave plenty of room for your toes. If you must wear unlaced shoes, do so for short periods only. New shoes should at first be worn for short periods only each day.

It is important that your shoe fitting is correct, so never buy shoes that the fitter does not recommend and always ask for your feet to be measured when you buy new shoes.

Do not wear socks that are too tight and cramp your toes or socks that are too tight.

Avoid wearing garters or socks that are too tight above the ankle as this can interfere with your circulation.

Do NOT walk about barefoot.

HYGIENE
Wash your feet daily in tepid water using good mild toilet soap. Rinse the skin well after washing and dry them carefully especially between the toes.

Change to clean dry socks daily.

If your skin is dry after bathing them apply some foot cream such as CCS or E45 creams.

If your skin is moist use a swab of cotton wool to wipe some surgical spirit to the feet, especially between the toes. Apply some talcum or baby powder to the feet after.

Awareness of pain may be diminished or absent and minor injuries to the foot take place without your knowledge.

It is thus important that careful examination of your feet should be made after washing. If you are unable to get down to your feet easily then you should get someone else to check them or use a mirror.

NAIL CUTTING
Cut your toenails after a bath when the nails are soft.

They should be cut straight across and not too short. Consult the Foot Clinic if your nails are painful or difficult to cut.

It is unwise to use a sharp instrument to clean your nails.

HEAT AND COLD
Awareness of heat and cold may be diminished in diabetics and circulation may be less efficient than in a non-diabetics. Because of this strict attention should be paid to the following points.

Avoid overheated baths. The water should not be more than 43 degrees C.

Do not sit too close to fires of heaters.

Before getting into bed, remove bed heaters, such as hot water bottles, and switch off electric blankets.

Woollen bed socks not be worn unless they are loose fitting.

Wet feet should be dried before putting on any socks or footwear and wet socks and footwear should be changed.

Do not use hot poultices.

Do not your feet get too cold, such as by wearing sandals on cold days.

CORNS AND CALLUSES
Do not attempt to cut corns or calluses yourself or have untrained friends do this for you.

Do not use corn plasters or paints as these contain acids, which can be very dangerous and can lead to ulcers.

If you develop any corns or calluses, ingrown toenails or any other foot related problems consult the Foot Clinic immediately.

FIRST AID MEASURES
Any minor cuts should be cleaned with tepid salt water dried, antiseptic applied and covered with a clean dry piece of gauze. Do not use plasters.

Do not apply constrictive bandages or adhesive to the toes or feet.

Do not prick blisters but leave them to dry up on their own or cover them with a clean dressing. If they burst and discharge fluid dress as in step one.

Never use iodine.

If minor injuries do not respond to your treatment quickly or if you are worried about them, consult the Foot Clinic.

SIGNS OF UNHEALTHY FEET
As even mild infections can upset your diabetes, consult the Foot Clinic or your doctor if:

You notice a colour change in any part of your foot or leg.

You notice discharge coming from a break in the skin, from a corn or under a toenail.

There is any troublesome pain throbbing, swelling or itching.
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