DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the lives of about 20.8 million people in the United States, 6.2 million of whom are unaware that they even have the disease. Every day, 2,200 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed, and an estimated 1.5 million new cases are identified each year.

If you already have diabetes:

• Wash feet daily
• Inspect feet and toes daily
• Lose weight
• Wear thick, soft socks
• Stop smoking
• Cut toenails straight across
• Exercise
• See your Podiatric Physician
• Be properly measured and fitted every time you buy new shoes
• Don't wear high heels, sandals, and shoes with pointed toes
• Don't drink in excess
• Don't wear anything that is too tight around the legs
• Never try to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself

The Role of Your Podiatric Physician

Your Podiatrist is trained to look for the following warning signs (that you should look for as well):

• Skin color change
• Elevation in skin temperature
• Swelling of the foot or ankle
• Pain in the legs
• Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal
• Ingrown and fungal toenails
• Bleeding corns and calluses
• Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel