Diabetic foot problems can prevented with a proper foot care regime.
Develop a foot care regime to prevent diabetic foot problems
Conditions like foot corn, callus, ingrown nails or blisters are often painful but simple to treat. In a person with diabetes they can quickly develop into something more sinister. With diabetic nerve damage, they may not be painful and can turn into a diabetic foot ulcer. Once such an ulcer develops, there is a risk of infection, which can occasionally be very difficult to treat in people with a reduced blood supply to their feet.
No matter how often patients come to our podiatry clinics at SGH, they ultimately remain in charge of their care the vast majority of time. Proper treatment and education by the podiatrist is essential, but even more important is what the patient does away from the clinic. Following the regime below will go a long way towards preventing problems:
Wear good footwear to prevent foot injuries
Poor fitting shoes are likely to cause problems such as corns, calluses and blisters. These can all result in more serious problems over time. Follow these preventive tips:
Exercise regularly
The benefits of exercise are well known for their independent impact on health and well-being. Exercise and other good habits can also help to keep the blood flowing to your feet. Walking is a good exercise, so try getting off the MRT or the bus a stop early. Consider taking a short walk up the stairs instead of the lift. For the feet try the following:
Some final tips for protecting your feet when you have diabetes
By being vigilant and staying healthy, you will reduce your risk of developing complications in your feet and maintain good mobility.
Ref: S13
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