Foot care for diabetics

Hello, my name is Cindy Broadus. I'm the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Wound Care and Osteomy. Our organization works with our sister foundation, the International Alliance of Wound Care Scholarship Foundation, to promote and enhance education and certification in wound care. Our HealthShare community will provide education and information that is specific to wound care to both clinicians and patients. Thank you for viewing this video and visiting our community. Foot care in the diabetic population is essential in preventing serious consequences. Diabetes can cause nerve damage making it hard to feel and have sensation. For example, you may not feel a foreign object in your shoe due to the reduced sensation. Improper fitting shoes can also cause a sore or blister to form due to the friction. The reduction in blood flow to the feet makes it harder for the wound to heal. Diabetic ulcers can lead to infection, increased risk of amputation, or even death. To decrease the chance of ulcer formation, injury, or other consequences, diabetic foot care guidelines should be followed. In this presentation, we're going to go through the guidelines that have been presented by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. So let's get started. Tip number one. Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at at the bottom of your feet. Call your doctor if you notice anything. Bathe your feet daily. Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. Don't use hot water. Use only lukewarm water, the temperature like you would use on a newborn baby. Dry the feet thoroughly before applying socks and shoes. Be gentle when you're bathing. Wash your feet using a soft washcloth or sponge. Do not use abrasive scrubbers or hard body brushes. Dry your feet by blotting or padding and carefully do not rub vigorously and be sure to dry between your toes. Moisturize your feet but not between the toes. Use a moisturizer daily to keep the skin from itching or cracking but again don't moisturize between the toes because that could encourage a fungal infection. Good nail care is encouraged. It's always best to see your podiatrist, diabetic foot specialist or physician to have your nails cut. It's not recommended to cut your own nails, especially if neuropathy is present. If you have concerns about your nails, consult your physician. Do not treat corns or calluses yourself. Don't be going in and doing that bathroom surgery or using medicated pads. Visit your doctor for appropriate treatment. Wear clean, dry socks. Change them daily and make sure you wear socks without seams as these can cause pressure issues in your shoes. Diabetic socks are preferred. Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes. These socks have special cushioning, they do not have elastic tops, they're higher than the ankle, and they're made from fibers that whip moisture away from the skin. Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night wear socks. Never use a heating pad or a hot water bottle. Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing them. Remember, your feet may not be able to feel a pebble or other foreign object, so always inspect your shoes visually, checking for torn lining before putting them in. Keep your feet warm and dry. Don't let your feet get wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and shoes in the winter. Consider using an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet. This is helpful if you have excessive sweating of the feet. Avoid overuse of foot powders that can cake and clump in the shoe. Take care of your diabetes. Monitor and control your blood glucose levels. Maintain a healthy diet and be aware of signs and symptoms of hyper and hypoglycemia. Never walk barefoot, not even at home. Always wear shoes or slippers. You could step on something and get a scratch or cut and not even know what happened. Do not smoke. Easier said than done, but smoking restricts blood flow in your feet, constricting vessels, so practice smoking cessation. Get periodic foot exams. See your physician or podiatrist on a regular basis, at least annually, to help prevent diabetes related foot complications. Avoid shoes with pointed toes or too flat of a sole. Uneven distribution of pressure and friction can occur which can lead to calluses, corns, blisters, and diabetic foot ulcer development. When choosing shoes, choose leather, canvas, or suede styles. This will allow for adequate circulation of air. Purchase shoes at least annually and make sure they fit properly. Do not wear old worn-out shoes. Wearing these old worn-out shoes with patterns, indentations, and holes can lead to irregular pressure and friction causing ulcers. Purchase your shoes at the end of the day. If they're purchased at the end of the day, swelling may be present. A comfortable fit at this time should assure a comfortable fit the rest of the day. Do not wear sandals, flip flops or open-toed shoes. These shoes expose areas of the foot which can increase the risk for injuries to occur. Purchase shoes that are comfortable and purchase at least two pairs. Buying shoes that are too small or do not fit comfortably can lead to blisters, pressure, and ulcer development. Ask about special shoes for diabetics. Ask your physician if you meet the criteria established by Medicare that will cover the special shoes. These shoes are fitted to the foot addressing changes such as foot shape, foot deformities, calluses, and bunions. The guidelines presented provide tips and rationale for decreasing the risk for the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Use these tips daily to assist in keeping your feet safe, warm, and intact. Thank you for viewing this video. We hope you found it to be informative and helpful.