Flowers ordered—check. Reservations for dinner at your special restaurant—check. A gift for your sweetheart—check. Sounds as if you are ready for Valentine’s Day! If you have diabetes, you are probably making plans to navigate the temptation of all those sweets. Here’s an idea: concentrate on your feet instead of your taste buds! Use these diabetic foot care practices to show those hardworking friends some love during this romantic season.
– Watching sweets is part of caring for your feet, because keeping your glucose levels in range heads off damage from poor circulation or neuropathy.
– Doing some sort of exercise most days will also help your circulation. Even while sitting, you can wiggle your toes, circle your ankles, or lift your heels and toes.
– Pay attention to your feet every day by washing, drying, and moisturizing them (except between your toes). Also check for cuts, bruises, scrapes, or unusual symptoms like redness or excessive warmth.
– Give yourself a safe pedicure at home. Make sure the tools are clean and disinfected. Trim your nails straight across and not too short. Don’t cut your cuticles—push them back gently. Check with us for safer polishes to use.
– Don’t cut your calluses. Hot soaks are not a good idea for diabetic feet, but after your bath or shower you can use a pumice stone and lotion to gradually eliminate the dry patches and soften the skin.
– Protect your feet—even when walking around at home. Check your socks and shoes for foreign objects that might damage your feet before you put them on.
– If you are prone to athlete’s foot, use antifungal powder on feet and in shoes to prevent an infection from taking hold.
– It’s okay to dress up in heels once in a while, but for normal wear, pick styles that won’t pinch, cramp, or put pressure on your feet.
These diabetic foot care tips are great if you have the disease, but everyone should follow these basic practices for healthy feet. Call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic in Collingwood, ON, at (705) 444-9929 for more information or an appointment to take care of a foot problem. Care for your feet, so they can take you where you want to go and do what you want them to do—on Valentine’s Day and throughout your life.
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