Diabetic Foot Tips & Care During The Summer Months
As we continue this month’s blog posts about diabetes and heat, it’s only fitting to discuss our feet. For some of us feet are gross and for other’s feet are what we use to move around. As a diabetic my feet are the most sensitive and most affected by having blood sugar fluctuations. During the summer I am always tempted to walk around barefoot, my feet get hot easily and I am one of those people that lives in sandals year-round. The summer brings challenges of keeping my feet clean and dry. I want to be barefoot and in the water!
Wearing sandals every day can actually dry out our feet because we lose moisturizing oils, which can lead to dry skin and cracking. It is recommended by some doctors that we inspect our feet daily if we wear sandals a lot and wear shoes with socks a few days a week.
Diabetes and heat can present challenges of increased insulin use and can also cause foot fungus, moisture and sweat. Some symptoms to look out for with diabetes and feet are changes in skin color, going from red to brown, purple or green. Also swollen feet or ankles, pain in legs, cool skin to the touch, severe pain or loss of feeling can also be related to diabetes foot complications.
The diabetic foot guide: Wagner-Meggitt Classification of Diabetic Foot
Grade 0 - Foot symptoms like pain, only.
Grade 1 - Superficial ulcers involving skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Grade 2 - Deep ulcers involving ligaments, muscles, tendons, etc.
Grade 3 - Ulcer with bone involvement.
Grade 4 - Forefoot gangrene.
Grade 5 - Full-foot gangrene.
Daily Foot Exam Tips & Care
Daily foot care by washing feet in warm soapy water and check feet for sores, cuts, blisters or redness. Apply some moisturizer and avoid moisturizing between the toes which can cause infections.
Footwear is important. At home wear slippers or house shoes. Try and not go barefoot. Adding socks can help with moisture control, keeping feet clean and dry.
Trimming toenails to avoid sores and in-grown toenails. Cut straight across the toenail, cutting or filing corners to be sure there are no sharp corners.
Schedule your yearly foot exam with your doctor!
