November is American Diabetes Month

Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, and it’s one of the primary causes of lower limb amputations. At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we want our patients with diabetes to reduce their risk of developing wounds and ulcers, leading to amputation. Below are some tips for protecting your feet if you have diabetes:

• Maintain appropriate blood glucose levels. Managing your diabetes is one of the best ways of avoiding ulcers on your feet. Your doctor can help you determine the best ways to do this. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking prescribed medications will all help.

•  Inspect your feet daily. For diabetic patients, even a blister or a case of athlete’s foot can quickly become a wound risk. Look your feet over thoroughly (or ask someone to do it for you) and report unusual changes, including redness, bruising, swelling, flaky skin, or toenail changes, to our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, promptly for evaluation.

• Choose proper footwear. Shoes that don’t fit properly can result in friction that causes sores and blisters. Your feet may get wider or bigger over time, so it’s best to get your feet professionally measured whenever you are buying new shoes. There should be at least half an inch of space between your longest toe and the front of your shoe. Soft, flexible materials are best, and avoid high heels, which put pressure on the ball of your foot and toes. Don’t wear tight socks and hose and styles with tight elastic bands.

• Don’t smoke! Smoking impedes circulation, which further decreases the ability for injuries and wounds on your feet to heel.

•  Avoid walking barefoot. Your chances of getting a cut or puncture wound in your foot or contracting a fungal infection or wart are much higher if you walk around without wearing shoes.

•  Schedule regular checkups with the podiatrist. It will enable the foot doctor to detect changes or develop problems in your feet at their earliest stages and hopefully head wounds and ulcers off before they start. Contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 to make an appointment today.