Foot Complications for Diabetics
There are a number of foot problems that diabetics can have. This is because many diabetics develop nerve damage (neuropathy), and as a result, have no sensation in their feet. Diabetics may even experience a change in their actual skin of the feet for this same reason. These damaged nerves once controlled oil and moisture in the feet, but since neuropathy slowly destroys any sensation - including pain or cold – problems arise.
Another problem that neuropathy brings on is a shape change in the feet. Doctors recommend therapeutic shoes when this happens. Consequently, diabetics are encouraged to exercise good foot care since big problems usually start out from small, everyday ones. For example, if calluses are not cared for properly, they build up and may lead to an ulcer. It is a good thing not to try to remove calluses yourself – by cutting them off or using chemicals to burn them off. Cutting them may lead to ulcers or infection and chemicals burn the skin.
The best advice, given by the ADA (American Diabetes Association), is to use a pumice stone daily to keep calluses under control. Use it when the skin is wet. Put lotion on your feet right after using the pumice stone. Do not put lotion between the toes.
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