Greenwich Hospital. DIABETES AND FOOT CARE. PATIENT/FAMILY INFORMATION SHEET Diabetes increases the chance that you will have changes in the …
Greenwich Hospital
DIABETES AND FOOT CARE
PATIENT/FAMILY INFORMATION SHEET
What is meant by foot care?
Foot care includes daily inspection and care of feet as well as regular foot exams by your physician to reduce the risk of infection and amputation
Why is foot care so important?
Diabetes increases the chance that you will have changes in the circulation and sensation in your feet Decreased sensation, or loss of the ouch factor, can result in a cut or scrape going unnoticed, untreated and can set the stage for poor wound healing Together, these changes can lead to serious infections that put your foot at risk for amputation
What should I do to take care of my feet?
Foot care is a daily activity Each day, you should: Examine your feet tops, bottoms, sides, and between the toes Use a non-breakable mirror if necessary to look at the bottom of your feet Look for any cuts, scrapes, or cracks in the skin where an infection may begin Feel the temperature of your feet unusual coolness can signal changes in circulation; heat may indicate an infection Look at the color of your feet blanching may be a clue that circulation is poor; redness may indicate infection Keep your feet
clean wash them each day with soap and warm water Dry your feet thoroughly, particularly between the toes
Rub lotion on your feet to prevent drying and cracking the entire foot should be covered except between the toes
What should I do to take care of my feet continued?
Additional foot care habits to practice include:
Never walk barefoot, even at home Check bath water temperature with your elbow before stepping into the water Wear socks to bed if your feet are cold Never use a hot water bottle or heating pad as you may burn your feet without realizing it Wear well-fitting socks and shoes Socks should not be tight around the ankle or calf Shoes must be properly fitted Have your feet measured each time you buy shoes Shake your shoes before putting them on each day Make sure there are no foreign objects, nail points or torn linings that could pierce or chafe your skin Cut toenails straight across If you have difficulty doing this, consult a podiatrist Do not use chemical corn or callous removers The acid in these will burn healthy skin and may lead to infection DO NOT SMOKE
What will my physician do to help me care for my feet?
At each physicians visit, make sure you
take off your shoes and socks so that your feet can be examined Your physician will inspect your feet and will check the pulses in your feet and ankles At least once a year, he or she will test for nerve changes using a tuning fork and a monofilament a thin strand of metal or plastic that is gently pressed against the bottom of your feet It is very important that you tell your physician about any changes in your feet that you have noticed since your last visit
What should I do if I have a cut or scrape on my foot?
Wash the cut or scrape to clean the area Your physician may want you to use an antibiotic ointment on the cut Put a band-aid or dressing on to protect the area Have a game plan with your physician about reporting a potential injury Your physician may want to examine it or may tell you to continue to treat it at home and call back to report how well it is healing
For more Patient Education Fact Sheets, see the Greenwich Hospital web site at wwwgreenhosporg and click on Patients Visitors, then Patient Education Rev 5/2008
Source:labcorp.com
