Foot problems commonlyoccur in people dealing with unmanageable blood glucose levels. Diabetic foot care becomes important because higher blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the feet.

 

The condition is described as diabetic neuropathy, in which you might experience burning and tingling sensations. The painful and burning sensations are the earliest signs of nerve damage.

 

The problem begins with common burning and tingling sensations, however, every year over 9 million diabetic people have to deal with the serious complication of foot ulcers. When the foot condition is not treated in time, diabetics have to face life threatening conditions or amputations. 

 

Due to nerve damage or blocked blood vessels, pain receptors in the foot don’t work properly. As a result, open sores or foot ulcers can’t be felt. These ulcers might not look bothersome at first, but ignorance can lead to the risk of amputation. Therefore, timely foot pain treatment is essential to ensure overall health and an improved mortality rate.

 

If you suspect foot pain or a slight burning sensation, it is important to get yourself checked by a podiatrist. These are foot doctors and they specialise in all sorts of foot and ankle problems. In today’s post, we discuss how to identify diabetic foot conditions and what  the available treatment options are.

 

What is diabetic foot and how to spot it?

Diabetic foot problems occur due to nerve damage. When uncontrolled blood sugar levels damage nerves and blood vessels the flow of blood isaffected. This can lead to a lot of complications like dead tissue, dead skin and loss of muscles.The foot can be affected  in two ways:firstly , the risk of infections increases and open cuts and sores take longer than usual to heal and secondly, diabetic patients can experience wounds without realising it

 

Due to diabetic foot, the major health problem that occurs is gangrene or foot ulcer. If the infections get too bad, foot amputation is the last option. Studies depict that about 50% of diabetics who had a foot amputation die within 5 years.

 

To improve your life expectancy, it is important to manage your blood glucose levels carefully and pay attention to the earliest signs of diabetic foot. The easiest way to spot diabetic foot problem are:

 

Burning and tingling sensationsInability to feel painBlisters and bruises that take longer to healRed and warm skinIncreased calluses with dried bloodFoul smell and foot infection

 

Poor blood flow affects your ability to feel the pain and heal the infection. With a diabetic condition, you need to be careful about any sign of infection or wound and inspect your feet regularly.

 

How to treat diabetic foot?

Diabetic feet need proper management. With careful and timely treatment, diabetic foot infections can  be cured. o reduce the risk of infection,

Routine diabetic foot care is essential to minimise pain and discomfort, so it is advised to regularly see a podiatrist. Diabetic nerve pain can be managed with a few simple tips such as:

Avoid walking barefootWear properly fitted shoesAvoid using hot water on feetTreat bunions and callusesUse orthotics for severe pain

 

Sometimes diabetic foot pain becomes so unbearable that it affects your sleep schedule.  In that case, diabetic education, a balanced diet and non-impact foot exercise becomes important.  When self-care becomesinsufficient, it is best to find a good podiatrist who specialises in diabetic foot care.

A foot doctor will conduct an in-depth assessment to provide you with the best suited foot care for ulcers, dry skin, calluses and foot pain.

 

Where to get diabetic foot treatment near me?

When searching for a specialist for Diabetic Foot Care, preference should be a qualified podiatrists who are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia. These experts have access to the latest technology and medical imaging techniques that help provide precise neurological and vascular assessment.

 

During the neurological assessment, a podiatrist checks the health of the feet nerves and the vascular assessment is conducted using a doppler ultrasound to investigate the blood flow.

 

You should consult with a podiatrist that is backed by years of expertise and innovative techniques to ensure the most precise assessment and tailored treatment.

 

When to see a doctor for diabetic foot care?

 

The possible foot complications that occur in a diabetic are dry skin, calluses, ulcers and nerve damage. If you observe signs that direct to any of these conditions you should immediately go for a consultation.

Consult with a podiatrist to choose the right footwear, receive general foot care, and for diabetic foot care education and exercises.

 

To reduce the risk of severe life threatening complications, you shouldget a vascular and neurological assessment every 12 months or earlier depending on your condition.

 

The problem of nerve damage starts with feet, therefore timely care and expert consultation are necessary.

 

Check your feet daily and make sure youobserve any changes in the skin colour and texture. If the pain is unbearable or if you see any sign of infection, book an appointment immediately. You can also consult the experts at Suncoast Podiatry: they offer personalised Diabetic Foot ulcer treatment.