BEST FOOT FORWARD
It’s important to look after your feet at all times, but it’s especially important if a patient has diabetes…
more prone to serious complications, including foot problems.
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That’s because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the feet and cause a loss of feeling known as peripheral neuropathy.
Over time, uncontrolled diabetes in particular can damage the nerves in the legs and feet. This means that the patient may not be able to feel heat, cold or pain in their feet.
Patients may also be particularly prone to skin problems with their feet. These problems can lead to infection and serious complications.
In very serious cases, amputation may be necessary.
Among the most common skin conditions in patients with diabetes are:
ince patients with diabetes have too much glucose/sugar in their blood for a prolonged period of time, they can be
Fungal infection of nails In some patients the nail may become infected with a fungus and, as a result, may become discoloured (usually opaque or yellowish-brown), brittle and thick. In advanced cases, the fungus may separate from the rest of the nail and the nail may even crumble. Unfortunately, fungal nail infections are difficult to treat. Topical medications are available over the counter (OTC), but prescription medicine may be required.
Corns Corns – build-ups of hard skin near a bony area of a toe or between toes – occur due to the pressure from shoes that rub against the toes or cause friction between the toes. By using a pumice stone gently after a bath or shower, a patient may be able to remove the built-up tissue. OTC treatments should never be used to dissolve corns.
Bunions A bunion is caused by the big toe bending towards the second toe. This can often lead to the
spot where the big toe joins the foot becoming red and calloused. The area may stick out and become hard. A GP can use a device to separate the big toe from the second toe.
Diabetic ulcers A diabetic ulcer is a deep sore or a break in the skin. The danger is that this break becomes infected and, unfortunately, the ulcers can result from the most minor of scrapes, or from the rubbing of shoes that don’t fit well. Up to ten per cent of people with diabetes will get foot ulcers.
Athlete’s foot This is a fungus that causes cracking, redness and itching in patients with diabetes. Unfortunately, germs can easily get into the cracks in the skin and lead to infection. Among the most common treatments for Athlete’s foot are medications that kill the fungus. These medicines are available OTC and come in pill or cream form.
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DIABETES CAN REDUCE THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE FEET AND CAUSE A LOSS OF FEELING KNOWN AS PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
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