The Importance of Proper Diabetic Foot Care

Spending a little extra time on foot care can help you protect your health if you have diabetes. Diabetic foot care, provided by your San Francisco, CA, podiatrists, Drs. Daniel Alberts, Richard Rolfes and Jasper Lee of Stonestown Podiatry Group, is the key to reducing your risk of infection and foot and leg issues.

Why foot care is crucial if you have diabetes

Diabetes may slow healing time and affect your body's ability to fight infections. Even a minor scrape or cut can lead to a serious infection that could jeopardize your foot or leg.

Peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes numbness in the feet, can make it impossible to feel pain in your feet or even notice that your shoes are uncomfortably tight. Numbness is more likely to occur if you've had diabetes for a long time or if the disease isn't well-controlled.

Home foot exams and visits to your San Francisco podiatrist can prevent minor issues from becoming more serious and ensure that infections are promptly diagnosed and treated.

What you can do to protect your feet

Daily self-exams allow you to spot early signs of trouble. For example, a red mark on your foot may be a sign that your shoes don't fit comfortably. Wearing a different pair of shoes can prevent the mark from eventually becoming a blister. If you do notice a blister, adding a protective bandage, in addition to switching your shoes, will reduce the risk that it will burst.

Call your foot doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs and symptoms:

• Cuts or sores on your feet
• Cracked skin between your toes
• Pain or swelling in your feet or legs
• Burning, numbness or tingling
• Change of color in your feet or legs
• Red streaks on your skin
• Unusual warmth or cold in your feet or legs

Don't try to treat corns, calluses, plantar warts, or ingrown toenails at home. Although these conditions may seem minor, they can increase your risk of infection.

Need care? Give us a call

Don't neglect your feet! Call your San Francisco, CA, podiatrists, Drs. Daniel Alberts, Richard Rolfesm, and Jasper Lee of Stonestown Podiatry Group, at (415) 731-6700 to schedule an appointment.