Skin and Foot Care in Diabetes

Hi friends,

We are again back. Let us discuss about the skin and foot care.

Skin and Foot Care:

It is very important in diabetes to take care of skin and the feet in diabetes. There are three factors which endanger a diabetic's skin and feet viz, increased chances of contracting an infection, inadequate blood supply and impaired sensations.

Skin Care:

A diabetic must always remain alert to prevent an injury to skin. He must take extra care while shaving. He should see that his skin is not abrased against the wall or a rough surface. If in any case the skin is injured, the wound should not be allowed to get infected. It should be washed with clean water, disinfected with cotton-swab soaked in alcohol (as prescribed by the doctor; consult doctor for it) and lightly bandaged with a cotton cloth. Adhesive tapes should never be used to cover a wound. if a need is felt, mild antiseptics but strong medicines like tincture of iodine, carbolic acid, salicylic acid or phenol should be avoided.

Foot Care:

The feet must be cared more than the face, this is the advise by the doctors to their diabetic patients. A diabetic should constantly be on an alert to prevent a foot injury. The feet should be washed twice a day with soap and warm water. While washing the feet, the nails, the toes and the skin between the toes should be minutesly observed. The feet should then be wiped dry with a soft cloth. In diabetics, the skin between the toes easily gets injured or infected with fungus. So a diabetic, after washing his feet should apply a cream (as prescribed by his/her doctor) between his/her toes. A diabetic should never move bare footed. In home, he/she should wear soft shoes. Tight or pointed shoes are not desirable for a diabetic because they obstruct blood circulation. A diabetic woman should not wear pencil heal or high heal shoes or sandals. New shoes should initially be worn only for short periods so that a bite does not develop.

A diabetic should cut his/her nails with great care. He/she should not cut corns on his soles himself/ herself. Such tasks should be left to the physician.

A diabetic should immediately consult his doctor, if:
1. There is a pain, itching, swelling or numbness of the legs.
2. The skin of the leg suddenly changes color.
3. A leg wound gets infected and an ulcer is formed.
4. A foot disorder doesnt improve with the remedies within a short time.

We hope you are gaining some knowledge to make preventions. Please consult your physician so that he/she can guide you much better to cure the diabetes.

Thanks,
Team- Knowledgeishealing.