Foot care for diabetic patients

by lkts1ji2kod on 2011-04-07 11:30:48

Diabetic foot refers to the ischemia, hypoxia, necrosis, ulceration and even infection of distal tissues in the lower extremities that occur on the basis of diabetes. It is one of the most severe complications of diabetes. If lower limb lesions in diabetic patients can be detected and treated in time, and if foot health care measures are strengthened to maintain foot health, it is possible to prevent or delay the occurrence and development of diabetic foot, reduce amputation rates, and ensure the quality of life for patients. The specific foot health care measures are as follows.

Observation and examination of the feet by diabetic patients:

Check your feet once a day. Check for any changes in the color, temperature, and sensation of the skin on your feet. When checking, pay attention to the changes in the toenails and the soles of the feet. Look for any calluses, corns, paronychia, nail fungus, redness, swelling, ecchymosis, blisters, abrasions, scratches, and fissures between the toes. If any abnormalities are found, seek medical attention immediately and do not attempt to handle it yourself. Patients should see a doctor regularly. Low-risk individuals should receive a foot examination at least once a year to determine if they are at risk for ulcers and amputations. High-risk individuals should have their feet checked every year or every three months. Those with ulcers on the soles of their feet should be reviewed every 1 to 3 weeks or visit a doctor whenever necessary based on their condition.

Promote blood circulation in the limbs:

Pay attention to keeping your feet warm in winter. Avoid prolonged exposure to cold or damp environments. Engage in moderate exercise. Patients can choose activities such as walking, brisk walking, or marching in place based on their own conditions, each session lasting 30 minutes. Exercise until you feel no pain in your feet. Try to keep a regular schedule, be realistic, and persist. Massage: Guide or assist patients in massaging from the toe tips up to the knee joint, focusing on massaging acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Yanglingquan (GB34). Movements should be gentle to avoid skin abrasions. Perform massages in the morning, afternoon, and evening, each session lasting 10 minutes. Quit smoking actively: Smoking can cause vasospasm and worsen ischemia, so patients should quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Family members should also quit smoking actively.

Choose appropriate shoes and socks to avoid putting pressure on the feet:

Shoes should be lightweight, soft, and well-ventilated. They should have a wide toe box with enough space between the shoe tip and the toes, not squeezing the toes, and should be the right size, with laces, and flat-soled with thick soles. The best time to buy shoes is in the afternoon or evening. Socks should be made of materials that absorb moisture well, are breathable, soft, and light-colored cotton or wool. The sock waist should be loose, and the socks should be washed daily to maintain cleanliness.

Diabetic patients should keep their feet clean to prevent infections:

When washing your feet, first check the water temperature with your hand; the water temperature should be close to body temperature. Wash your feet daily with neutral soap and warm water, ensuring that the spaces between the toes are cleaned thoroughly. After washing, gently dry your feet with a light-colored, soft, and highly absorbent clean towel. For those with dry skin, apply a small amount of moisturizing lotion or cream to the skin of the feet (excluding between the toes), but do not use it too often to avoid excessive softening of the skin.

Diabetic patients should prevent external injuries:

Before wearing shoes, check for any small particles like sand to avoid injuring the skin on your feet. New shoes should not be worn for too long initially; start by wearing them for half an hour and gradually increase wear time to allow your feet to adapt slowly. Do not walk barefoot or wear sandals or slippers without socks. If you have athlete's foot or itching, avoid scratching vigorously. In cold weather, pay attention to keeping your limbs warm. You can wear soft, loose cotton socks and avoid using electric blankets, hot water bottles, or heaters to prevent burns. When trimming toenails, do not cut them too short; trim them level with the toes. Do not use sharp objects to trim the ends of your toenails. If you have vision problems, ask someone else to help you trim your nails.

Diabetic patients should promptly treat foot diseases:

Even small wounds on the feet of diabetic patients take a considerable amount of time to heal. If accompanied by nerve damage, there may be no sensation of any stimulation to the wound, which can lead to serious consequences. Timely treatment of foot injuries helps prevent serious foot problems. If the wound does not heal within 2 to 3 days or if there is bruising, swelling, redness, or heat around the wound, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Keywords: Foot care for diabetic patients, Diabetes care, Diabetic foot