Diabetic Foot Care
Routine foot care is vital for patients with diabetes, as diabetes can increase the risk for developing problems with your feet. It is recommended to see your chiropodist or podiatrist at regular intervals to treat and prevent diabetic-related complications.
Since our hands and feet are the furthest away from our body, they tend to be affected first in diabetes. Common conditions associated with the feet and diabetes include damage to the nerves (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease), and a weakened immune system. For this reason, even a minor cut can take longer to heal and may have a higher risk for infection.
Interesting Fact: In patients with diabetes, there is a greater risk for fungal foot infections such as Athlete’s foot and fungal toenails, to develop into ulcers (Berbudi et al., 2019).
3 Common Diabetic-Related Complications
1. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
The most common complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Chronic high blood sugar levels may damage the nerves causing the messages between the brain and the feet to be affected. Numbness or the sensation of pins-and-needles in the feet may start. As it progresses, a loss of all sensation may occur. This results in the inability to feel heat, cold, or pain in your foot. If you develop a cut or a sore on your foot, you may not be able to feel it. The damage to the nerves can also cause these wounds to heal slowly. This can quickly lead to an infection and in severe cases, amputation may be required.
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease
Patients with diabetes are more prone to circulation problems to the arteries (blood flow away from the heart) or veins (blood flow back to the heart). High blood sugar levels may affect these vessels causing damage to the vessel walls, swelling of the legs (peripheral edema), and delayed wound healing.
3. Decrease Immune Response
Blood flow is a crucial part of wound healing. If blood flow is reduced, it will affect the rate of healing. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can also weaken the immune system, affecting its ability to fight off invading pathogens and increasing the risk for developing infections.
Diabetic Foot Care Treatment
At Toronto Foot Care, the chiropodist will thoroughly examine your foot condition and tailor a specific treatment plan for each patient.
Diabetic Foot Care can include:
- Annual Diabetic Screening – checking the sensation and blood flow of the feet
- Diabetic Foot Education
- Ingrown Toenail Removal
- Dermatological Conditions – dry/cracked skin, nail cutting, and corn/callus removal
- Biomechanical and Gait Analysis
- Ulcer and Wound Care
Diabetic Foot Products:
- Diabetic Compression Stockings
- Diabetic Foot Creams
- Diabetic Socks
Ready for your first visit?
Book an appointment today or call us at (416) 444-3668 to learn more about our foot care services.
Berbudi, A., Rahmadika, N., Tjahjadi, A. I., & Ruslami, R. (2020). Type 2 Diabetes and its Impact on the Immune System. Current diabetes reviews, 16(5), 442–449.
Rodrigues, C. F., Rodrigues, M. E., & Henriques, M. (2019). Candida sp. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(1), 76:1-41.