Daily foot care routine

All the people with or diabetics should get regular foot exams at least twice yearly by their health care provider and should learn whether they have nerve damage. To prevent injury to the feet one should adopt daily care routine of checking and caring the feet, especially if there is already known nerve or blood vessel damage or current foot problems.

Daily care routine

Check the feet every day. Inspect the top, sides, soles, heels and between the toes. Wash feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap and dry them thoroughly between the toes. Strong soaps may damage the skin. Test the temperature of the water before immersing the feet, burns can easily occur. Gently and thoroughly dry the feet, mainly between the toes as because infections can develop in moist areas. Apply a thin coat of lubricating oil or moisturizer after bathing the feet. Due to dryness the skin changes, the feet may become very dry and may crack, potentially causing an infection too. Soften dry skin with lotion, petroleum jelly or oil. Do not put lotion between toes. Ask health care provider to show how to care for toenails. Soak feet in lukewarm water to soften the nail before trimming. Cut the nail straight across, as curved nails are more likely to become ingrown. Exercise daily to promote good circulation in feet. Avoid sitting with legs crossed or standing in one position for long periods of time. Stop smoking as it decreases blood flow to the feet.

Few more tips

Avoid using antiseptic solutions on feet if it has cut and can injure skin. Avoid applying a heating pad or hot water bottle. Avoid hot roadway or hot sandy beaches. Report sores, changes or signs of infection to doctor immediately and tell all blisters, bruises, cuts, sores or areas of redness. Remove shoes and socks during visits to the health care provider. This is a reminder that one need a foot exam. Make an appointment with a doctor to treat foot problems or to have corns removed. Never attempt to treat these at home using over-the-counter remedies. If obesity prevents from being physically able to view the feet, a family member, neighbor or a visiting nurse may need to perform this important monitoring.

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