Restoring Good Diabetic Health
By Prevention
Of Diabetes Foot Pain

Diabetes foot pain will be the end result of your diabetic health when your blood sugar levels stay higher than normal for approximately 5 years or more. After this time, you will start noticing more and more repeated foot problems. Eventually these problems can lead to life and limb threatening conditions.

Other than motor vehicle accidents, the #2 reason for amputations in most countries of the world is diabetic complications. Unfortunately, all of these were preventable with some routine daily care.

Common Symptoms Leading To Diabetes Foot Pain

• non-healing ulcerations after an external cut or scratch to the skin

• loss of sensitivity in your feet (you no longer feel pain, heat or cold on your feet) because of damaged sensory nerves

• dry, cracked toes, feet and heels. This also can include redness, swelling or discoloration.

• deformities of the feet or toes

Prevention/Treatment Of Diabetes Foot Pain

• never go barefoot, especially outdoors

• always do an entire visual foot check every day to make sure there is no developing trouble-spots

• purchase a new pair of shoes in the evening when your feet are at their widest for a better fitting more comfortable pair of shoes

• never wear "flip flops" or thongs on your feet if the rubber piece will be between your big toe and the second toe

• rotate your shoes every 1-2 days so your feet do not get trapped daily in a moist environment. Also wear cotton socks daily as these go a long way to preventing moisture build-up which can easily lead to a fungal infection.

• provide daily air circulation around your feet but do not place them near any heat source such as a fireplace, foot bath soaker, heating pad hot water bottle etc.

• do not habitually soak your tired sore feet. Repeated soaking does break down your external tissue layers and it is very difficult to heal. After washing (avoid soaps with added perfumes and deodorants), always dry your feet also, especially between the toes.

• never attempt the removal of your own corns or calluses. See the doctor for this procedure.

• quit smoking. Smoking affects the blood flow to every part of your body by constricting the blood vessels. You already have reduced blood flow from the diabetes complications. Blood flow is vital to all body parts for the rejuvenation of damaged skin, nerves and tissues.

• if your nails are curling, brittle, very hard to cut or you just can not reach them anymore, do not try to trim them yourself. See a doctor for this on-going treatment to prevent future complications.

• wear socks with a loose band at the top on your leg. Do not restrict any more of the blood flow to your feet

• massage into your skin daily a good quality vegetable oil or olive oil to prevent the dry cracked skin lesions. Never use Vaseline, mineral oil or baby oil. These products do not get absorbed into the skin.

A final word of caution about diabetes foot pain. If you obtain any type of foot injury, make an appointment with your doctor for care. Leaving a foot injury without treatment can rapidly (many times within hours to the same day) escalate to severe complications if you are a diabetic. So by following a few simple guidelines and a daily routine of checking your feet for abnormalities, diabetic foot pain will never become a severe complication of your diabetes.

Return to "Symptoms Of Diabetes" from "Diabetes Foot Pain".