Diabetes and Your Feet

14 Nov Diabetes and Your Feet

Did you know nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and another 86 million have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes? November is National Diabetes Month and that means it is a good time to go over some important information about healthy feet for patients with diabetes. At Great Neck Family Foot Care we are dedicated to educating our patients to ensure the best care when it comes to your feet.

Be on the Lookout for Signs of Foot Trouble

Diabetes can cause major medical problems in the feet. According to the American Diabetes Association, roughly 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe nerve damage. In your feet, this may mean that you can have decreased feeling and sensation and may not be aware of an injury or sore on your foot when it first happens. Couple this with the decreased blood flow that makes healing a much slower process and you can see why preventing injuries and catching sores and wounds before they progress is critical.

The most important step you can take in preventing diabetic foot difficulties is to inspect your feet everyday and report any changes to your podiatrist. Our board certified foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano, can help you learn what to look for. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact our office immediately:

• Loss of the sense of touch in your feet or the inability to feel heat or cold very well
• Tingling or burning sensation in your feet
• Changes in color or temperature of your skin
• Skin on your feet becoming dry and cracked
• Pain in your legs or cramping in your butt, thighs, or calves during exercise or other physical activity
• Toenails turning yellow or thickening
• Changes to the shape of your foot; loss of hair on your lower legs, feet, or toes
• Any conditions such as athlete’s foot, blisters, sores, ingrown toenails, corns, or other ailments that might break the skin and allow bacteria to enter

Being vigilant about the condition of your feet and following all your doctor’s instructions for keeping your diabetes under control are the best strategies for keeping your feet healthy. If you’re a diabetic patient and want to learn more about proper care of your feet, contact our Great Neck office.