With damage to your nervous system caused by diabetes, you
might not be able to feel your feet properly.
Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of
the foot is often impaired and, as a result, this can lead to an abnormal
pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot during walking and other
activities.
This can even lead to the breakdown of the skin on the foot,
causing sores to develop. If you have diabetes, it is important to take proper
precautions to prevent foot problems before they occur, recognize problems
early and seek the right treatment from your podiatrist when a problem does
happen.
Complications with
Your Feet and Diabetes
There are several risk factors that can increase your
chances of developing foot problems and diabetic infections in the legs and
feet with poorly fitting shoes as one of the biggest culprits of diabetic foot
complications.
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it is
important to find new proper fitting shoes immediately:
·
Red spots
·
Sore spots
·
Blisters
·
Corns
·
Calluses
·
Consistent pain when wearing shoes
And if you have common foot abnormalities such as flat feet,
bunions, or hammertoes, prescription shoes or orthotics from your podiatrist
might be necessary to further protect your feet from other damage.
Poor Circulation and
Nerve Damage
People who have long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes
are also at risk for having damage to the nerves in their feet, which is known
in the medical community as peripheral neuropathy. If you have nerve damage, you may not be able
to feel your feet normally and you may also be unable to sense the position of
your feet and toes while walking and balancing, which can cause even more harm
to your feet.
Normal nerves allow people to sense if their shoes are too
tight or if their shoes are rubbing on the feet too much. With diabetes, you may not be able to
properly sense minor injuries, such as cuts, scrapes and blisters—all signs of
abnormal wear, tear, and foot strain. The following can also compromise the
health of your feet:
·
Poor circulation
·
Trauma to the foot
·
Infections
·
Smoking
Diabetes can be extremely dangerous to your feet, so take
precautions now. You can avoid serious
problems such as losing a toe, foot, or leg by following proper prevention
techniques offered by your podiatrist. And remember, prevention is the key to
saving your feet and eliminating pain.
