What is Diabetic Foot Care (Foot Care)?
Diabetic Foot Care (Foot Care) is the prevention and reduction of the risk of wound progression and infection leading to amputation. Most cases are caused by complications that damage or deteriorate peripheral nerves, usually starting at the toes. There is also insufficient blood supply to the feet due to peripheral artery disease. Additionally, the skin on the feet of diabetic patients is often very dry and prone to cracking, which can lead to wounds. Diabetic patients often do not realize they have foot wounds because they do not feel pain, causing them to continue walking and putting weight on their feet as usual. This pressure or trauma can worsen the wound. When the wound progresses or becomes infected down to the bone, doctors will consider treatment by removing dead tissue, which may require amputation of the damaged part or foot to preserve the healthy parts.
What does Diabetic Foot Care (Foot Care) include?
- Providing knowledge and advice on foot health care to patients and their caregivers to prevent or detect foot health problems early for timely treatment.
- Providing emergency services in case of wounds or urgent foot problems requiring specialist treatment, such as wound cleaning, dressing, and removal of injured or dead tissue.
- Screening for infections and providing targeted treatment.
- Treating ischemia (lack of blood supply) in the feet.
- Identifying the causes of wounds and advising on prevention of recurrence.
This also includes controlling blood sugar levels, blood lipids, blood pressure, and other diabetes-related complications.
Guidelines for Preventing Diabetic Foot Disease
- Maintain blood sugar levels within a controllable range through diet control, exercise, and strict adherence to prescribed medications or injections.
- Undergo annual foot screening even if there is no numbness or wounds.
- Be careful to avoid foot wounds.
- Take good care of any foot wounds.
How to Care for Your Feet by Yourself if You Have Diabetes
Proper foot care in diabetic patients is very important in preventing wounds and reducing the risk of amputation. Diabetic patients with nerve damage or insufficient blood supply to the feet should strictly care for their foot health as follows:
- Inspect your feet daily for scratches, cuts, blisters, bruises, changes in skin color, swelling, or open wounds. If any abnormalities are found, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Be sure to check the soles of your feet as well.
- Clean your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Dry your feet carefully by wiping or blowing them dry. Apply oil or lotion all over the feet to keep the skin soft, but avoid applying between the toes.
- Cut toenails straight across and file sharp edges to prevent wounds.
- Always wear shoes, whether indoors or outdoors, to prevent foot injuries. Avoid wearing pointed-toe shoes, high heels, shoes with holes, without straps, or without heel support. Do not walk barefoot, especially on hot surfaces such as those exposed to sunlight.
- Check shoes before wearing them to ensure there are no foreign objects, especially stones, sharp objects, or rough areas that could scratch and wound your feet.
- Wear socks to prevent friction but avoid wearing them too tightly.
- If you have a wound, clean it and cover it with sterile materials.
- Do not use hot water bottles or heating devices to apply heat or blow warm air on your feet.
- Avoid using wart removal creams, salicylic acid, or razors on your feet as they may cause wounds.
- Reduce or maintain your weight within a standard range to avoid putting excessive pressure on your feet.
- Quit smoking, which is a cause of blood vessel constriction and reduces blood flow to the feet, leading to slow wound healing.