Care to be taken to avoid diabetic foot.

People with uncontrolled diabetes can develop changes in skin condition, calluses, dry skin, foot ulcers, nerve damage[neuropathy] and decrease of blood supply.
Foot care is very important when you have diabetes for 10 years or longer. Because of thickening of the walls of the blood vessels your feet would receive less blood.Also because of changes in the nerves[neuropathy], your feet will have less sensation. So you may not
feel that you are close to to a fire place, that a hot water bottle is not too hot, that you have an injury or infection. for this you need to take very good care of your feet at all times. Ask your doctor to examine your feet at times or see a podiatrist for regular check ups.
General foot care guidelines.
1]Clean your feet daily with a mild soap and warm water, then dry them thoroughly with a soft cotton towel. Take special care for cleaning between toes.
2]Wear properly fitting shoes with clean socks. Do not go bare foot outside the house.
3]Examine your feet properly once a week. Use hand mirror to examine the undersurface and sides.
4]Get your toe nails clipped regularly. If it hurts see a podiatrist.
5]Do not treat the in-growing toe nails, corns or calluses yourself, nor ask your friends to do so. Take advice from your doctor and get treatment from a podiatrist.
6] Do not sit close to heaters or fire place.If your feet feel cold, wear warm socks or stockings. Do not use a hot water bottle.
7]clean small cuts and sores with mild antiseptic[Listerine/Dettol] Apply antiseptic creams and sterile dressings.
8]consult your doctor or podiatrist immediately about any throbbing pain or discharge from a corn,underneath or sides of a toe nail.
Raghu Natrajan