It is crucial that you care for your feet when you have diabetes. After all, for patients with diabetes, foot infections can quickly result in more serious health concerns, and even lead to amputation. Here at Stuto Foot Specialist Podiatry in Brooklyn, NY, diabetic foot care is provided by our experienced podiatrists, Dr. Joseph C. Stuto and Dr. Joseph A. Stuto—read on to learn more!
Checking for Foot Wounds
One of the most important aspects of diabetic foot care is checking for foot wounds daily. The sooner a wound on the foot is discovered, the sooner it can be treated. Prompt treatment of foot wounds can prevent an infection from developing, which could lead to more serious health concerns. If foot wounds are discovered, they should be checked and treated every day until the wounds are fully healed. Types of wounds to look for when checking your feet every day include:
- Ingrown toenails
- Pressure problems
- Redness
- Scratches
- Punctures
- Bruises
- Blisters
- Cuts
How to Care for Your Feet
In addition to checking for foot wounds on a daily basis, there are several other steps that can be taken to care for your feet when you have diabetes. For instance, an important step that you can take to care for your feet is to regularly visit our Brooklyn podiatry office for diabetic foot care. Additional steps that you can take to care for your feet include:
- Wearing comfortable shoes
- Keeping the feet warm and dry
- Wearing loose socks to bed at night
- Moisturizing the skin on the feet daily
- Trimming nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails
- Washing the feet daily, but avoid soaking them in water
- Wearing warm socks and shoes when the weather is cold
Improving blood circulation to the legs and feet can also keep your feet healthier. You can also promote good blood circulation by moving around throughout the day and avoiding stagnancy. It is also helpful to avoid crossing the legs when sitting since that can decrease blood flow to the feet.
Concerned? Give Us a Call
To schedule an appointment with either of our podiatrists, Drs. Joseph C. or Joseph A. Stuto, call Stuto Foot Specialist Podiatry at (718) 567-1403 for the Brooklyn office or (718) 624-7537 for the Brooklyn Heights location.