Having trouble taking each day in your stride because of a problem with your feet? People with diabetes often encounter foot problems as a result of complications associated with the disease.
Over time diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. When you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble inside your sock or shoe, realize you have a blister or feel a crack on your heel or between your toes. These small problems, if left untreated can lead to cuts, infections and ulcers. Diabetes can also lower the amount of blood flow in your feet. Numbness and less blood flow in the feet can also lead to foot problems.
Foot care is very important for all people with diabetes, but becomes even more important if you have pain, tingling or numbness in your feet; changes in the shape of your feet or toes, or cuts and sores on your feet that do not heal.
Here are some simple things you can do to maintain good foot health:
– manage your blood glucose levels;
– examine your feet every day, look for anything that wasn’t there the day before, and monitor it;
– wash and dry your feet daily, use a mild soap and warm water, pat your skin dry; do not rub;
– after completely drying your feet, use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking, but do not put it between your toes
– take care of your toenails by cutting them straight across, and then smoothing them off with a nail file or emery board; do not cut your nails down the sides or cut your cuticles; and
– be careful when exercising or walking to wear the correct shoe; do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet
Protect your feet with socks and shoes. Never go barefoot, always protect your feet by wearing shoes or hard-soled slippers. Avoid wearing shoes with high heels or pointed toes. Wear socks made with a natural fibre, such as cotton or wool; avoid wearing tight socks. Always check the inside of your shoes and socks before putting them on. Make sure your shoes fit properly, if you have lost sensation in your feet, you might not realize that your shoes are too tight. If you notice a sore on your foot, or are concerned about your feet, see your healthcare practitioner immediately. If you take care of your feet every day, you can lower your chances of losing a toe, foot, or leg.
If you would like to find out more about how to prevent foot problems occurring, then you might be interested in a new self-management program, called PEP talk, coming to Wellington County. The PEP (Peer Education Program) is the only national peer-led program in Canada that provides support groups and educational workshops on preventive foot care for people with diabetes.
The PEP program is free to the public, and is a peer-led workshop run by people with diabetes who have experienced diabetic foot complications, for people with diabetes, and their caregivers. The peer-educators have been trained by experts and can help you prevent diabetic foot ulcers that may lead to amputation.
At the PEP talk workshop, you’ll learn how to enjoy an active life, keep your feet healthy and prevent foot complications through good diabetic foot care practices. You will learn to understand the early warning signs of neuropathy, vascular insufficiency and foot ulcers, and know the steps needed to ensure effective care if an ulcer develops. If you are a person living with diabetes, or if you have experienced a diabetic foot sore or neuropathy, we are looking for you! Don’t wait until a foot problem develops, take care of your foot health and sign up for a PEP Talk program near you. To register, call 1-866-337-3318 and reserve your space today!
For more information about any of the free services offered by your local Family Health Team ask your doctor or nurse practitioner during your next visit, visit the website www.afhto.ca or google “family health team locations.”
Catherine McGratton is a chiropodist with the Wellington Health Care Alliance.
