How To Care For Your Feet When You Have Diabetes

Diabetic foot care is a specialty of the doctors at the Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, OR. The goal is to keep your feet healthy and free from infections that can develop from wounds or cuts. Diabetic foot care is also a concern for patients who are at risk for a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Find out how you can best care for your feet and toes if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Foot Health and Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition that causes an imbalance of glucose in the blood stream. It sometimes causes circulation problems in patients. Because blood doesn't always circulate properly to the lower extremities, including the feet and legs, sometimes wounds and cuts don't heal as quickly as they should. The wound can become infected and pose a serious risk. Diabetic patients are also at risk for nerve damage, also known as peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic Foot Care
Keep these important foot care tips in mind to ensure that you don't have any of the aforementioned complications:

• Have foot wounds of any size (including cuts, scrapes, bites and scratches) checked by your Roseburg podiatrist.
• Have your toenails trimmed properly on a regular basis to avoid ingrown nails.
• Keep your feet moisturized with lotion.
• Wear well-fitting, quality shoes that support your arches and don't put pressure on your toes.
• Get exercise daily (as recommended by your doctor) to improve your blood circulation.
• Work with your doctors to keep your glucose levels under control.

Treatments for Diabetic Patients
If there is a problem related to diabetic foot care, there are treatments available at your Roseburg podiatrist's office, including:

• Custom orthotics or prescription shoes.
• Antibiotic therapy.
• Surgery in advanced cases to remove infected tissue (sometimes necessary in the case of an ingrown toenail).

Get Help Right Away in Regina
A diabetic foot care related problem is not something that you should ignore or delay treatment for—it's an urgent matter that has to be addressed by your podiatrist. Call Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, OR today at (541) 673-0742 to schedule a visit.