How To Care For Your Feet As A Diabetic

If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's necessary to take proper care of your feet. Some diabetic patients don't realize that ignoring certain symptoms and not taking care of their health could cause a number of problems for their feet, including swelling, ulcers, and nerve damage. If you experience nerve damage in your feet, you may no longer feel anything, which could make it difficult for you to walk or move around at all.

Wear the Right Shoes

Instead of just wearing anything on your feet, make sure to wear the right shoes. There are special sneakers designed specifically for those with diabetes. These sneakers provide extra comfort for swollen feet and are often easier to put on than traditional sneakers. They provide additional support to the soles and the arch of the feet. Not only should you invest in a good pair of these kinds of sneakers, but you should avoid walking around outside without wearing shoes, even if you're just taking a quick trip to the sidewalk to grab your mail.

Have Your Feet Examined Regularly

Although you should make sure to check your feet for any changes on a daily basis at home, it's wise to make appointments with a podiatrist to have your feet examined, too. A podiatrist could identify any swelling or inflammation while offering suggestions that could help you keep your feet in better condition. If the podiatrist notices you've got calluses, he or she may carefully and gently shave off those top layers of skin. It's best to have the calluses removed at the office with the podiatrist than to try home remedies or purchase over-the-counter products at the drugstore.

Use Diabetic Socks

Wearing the right shoes helps with swelling and discomfort, but wearing diabetic socks is something you should do, too. It's ideal to wear these socks when you're going out as well as when you're staying inside the home. The socks are breathable and provide an extra cushion for the bottom of the feet so that you'll feel more comfortable while you move around. The material of these socks may stretch more than the average pair of socks simply to keep your blood circulating instead of blocking circulation.

You need to make diabetic foot care a priority. You'll need to make sure you're wearing the right shoes and diabetic socks that are made to offer extra comfort while protecting the feet. You should have your feet examined regularly by a trained podiatrist who could offer tips and suggestions while providing treatment.