If you suffer from diabetes, you may be at increased risk of developing painful foot sores that may affect your feet down to the bone, resulting in difficulty walking and even ulcers. Foot ulcers are often prevalent under your big toes on the balls of your feet, so extra care has to be taken to prevent even the slightest injury on and around your feet. Here is a guide for diabetic individuals on why they are often prone to foot ulcers and tips on how they can prevent them with proper foot care.

Why are foot ulcers prevalent among diabetics?

Diabetes sometimes presents complications that increase the risk of developing foot ulcers.

Firstly, high blood sugar levels can sometimes damage the nerves on your feet, affecting your ability to feel any pain sensation. This can cause you to fail to notice an injury on your foot when you step on a sharp object or wear tight shoes. Without any pain sensation on your feet, you may also fail to protect any small wounds that develop and continuously step on them, leading to aggravated injury that causes foot ulcers.

If you suffer from diabetes, you may also have fat build up on your arteries, causing poor blood circulation to your feet. This can then reduce the ability of your feet to heal even after a slight injury, resulting in infections and foot ulcers.

Preventing foot ulcers with proper foot care.

Proper foot care can help prevent foot ulcers.

Cleaning your feet thoroughly each day and using a moisturizing oil or cream can help keep your skin from cracking or bruising. Pay particular attention to your feet during cleaning so as to spot any injuries that may have developed. Once you notice any cut, bruise, blister, redness or bleeding, see a podiatrist, such as Camden County Foot & Ankle Center, for immediate treatment. The podiatrist may also be able to diagnose minor foot infections, such as athlete's foot, that increase the risk of injury and treat them with antifungal cream.

To prevent injury to your feet, always wear protective footwear with broad fronts to provide plenty of room for the toes and good laces/buckles to prevent your feet from rubbing within the shoes.

You should also wear clean socks and use shoe inserts to prevent corns and calluses. If you need to cut your nails, avoid cutting down the sides of the nails, or cutting them too short, as you may injure yourself in the process. If you notice any corns or calluses, never try to remove them on your own using acid plasters, as this may break the skin and lead to sores.

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