Maintaining Healthy Feet in Diabetics

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes can be very dangerous to your feet. Because of reduced blood flow, injuries may be harder to heal, and infections harder to resist. Nerve damage may reduce feeling to the feet making it hard to notice irritations leading to blisters developing. Taking good care of your feet is one of the keys to staying healthy.

It’s important to get periodic foot exams. Seeing your physician regularly can help prevent many foot complications related to diabetes. In addition, inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness and swelling, and contact your doctor if you notice any of these. Do a daily check of your shoes for debris. Foreign objects, no matter how small, inside of shoes can be a major source of irritation. Always inspect shoes before putting them on.

Keeping your feet clean, warm, and dry is critically important to maintaining good foot health. Wash your feet in lukewarm water instead of hot water. Use a soft washcloth or sponge to help prevent irritation or injury. Gently pat dry with a soft towel.

Be sure to always wear warm socks and shoes in the wintertime. Don’t let your feet get wet in the snow or rain. If you do get your feet wet, quickly remove your shoes, thoroughly dry your feet, and put on clean, dry socks and shoes.

Keeping your feet moisturized and properly groomed is another important factor to good foot health. Use a moisturizer daily to help keep your feet from itching or cracking. Be careful not to moisturize between the toes, however, as this can encourage fungal infection. Keep your toenails trimmed. Cut them carefully and straight across. File any edges to help prevent points of irritation. Avoid cutting nails too short, which can lead to ingrown toenails.

Practicing good health in general will help to maintain good foot health also. Most importantly, avoid smoking. Smoking restricts blood flow, which will increase the chance of damage to your feet. Stay on top of your diabetes health. Watch your blood sugar levels and work hard to keep them in control. Never walk barefoot, even if just around the house. Always wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet and prevent injury from scratches or cuts.

Socks are great for keeping your feet warm. Wearing them while you sleep is the best way to keep your feet warm at night. Avoid using things like heating pads or hot water bottles. It’s also important to ensure that your socks are clean and dry. Change them daily or at any point when they become wet or soiled.

Wearing the right sock is also important. Diabetic socks are specifically designed to be ideal for keeping feet protected and healthy. When choosing diabetic socks, look to avoid tight elastic bands. Thick or bulky socks can fit poorly and irritate the skin. Socks should also be seamless to help prevent pressure points and irritation. SmartKnit Diabetic Socks are seamless and form-fitting, which help to prevent blister-causing pressure points. SmartKnit’s moisture wicking fibers keep feet dry reducing friction, which can cause irritation.

Good foot health is important for anyone that lives with diabetes, whether they experience type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or even gestational diabetes. Diabetes does not just affect adults, but children also. Anyone living with diabetes can benefit from seamless socks. SmartKnitKIDS Seamless Sensitivity Socks are a perfect child version to the adult SmartKnit Diabetic counterpart.