If you are living with diabetes, you have probably been bombarded with advice about your feet. The problem is that following the wrong advice can be dangerous if you are a diabetic struggling with your foot health. In this article, we at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists are setting the record straight when it comes to diabetic foot care.
Myth 1: If my feet don’t hurt, they must be fine.
Many people assume that pain is the body’s way of signaling trouble, and usually, it is. However, diabetes often causes neuropathy, which can numb the sensations in your feet.
You could have a blister, a small cut, or even plantar fasciitis and not feel a thing. By the time you see the problem, it might have already turned into an infection. This is why you must perform a daily visual inspection of your feet, regardless of how good they feel.
Myth 2: I only need to worry about my feet if I have bad blood sugar.
While keeping your A1c in check is a huge part of the battle, it isn’t a total shield. Even if your blood sugar levels are currently stable, the damage caused by past fluctuations can linger.
Diabetes can also lead to peripheral artery disease, which restricts blood flow to your lower extremities. This poor circulation means that even a minor scratch takes much longer to heal. You should treat foot care as a permanent lifestyle habit, not just something you do during a rough patch with your glucose levels.
Myth 3: Soaking my feet is the best way to keep them clean and soft.
It sounds relaxing, doesn’t it? A nice, long soak in warm water with Epsom salts. But for a diabetic foot, not so much. Soaking can dry out your skin even further, which can lead to cracks on your heels.
Even worse, if you have neuropathy, you might not be able to accurately judge the water temperature, which can lead to severe burns without you even realizing it.
Myth 4: I can save money by treating my own calluses.
We never recommend taking a razor blade or a sharp clipper to a callus or corn yourself. One slip of the hand can create a wound that your body struggles to close. In the world of diabetic care, there is no such thing as a minor cut, and it is always safer to let a trusted podiatrist handle the maintenance.
Myth 5: Special diabetic shoes are only for people who have already had surgery.
You don’t have to wait for a complication or surgery to invest in better footwear. Diabetic-specific shoes are designed with extra depth and a seamless interior to prevent the friction and pressure that cause ulcers in the first place.
For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.