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Diabetes foot care

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Diabetic foot care
Diabetic foot care
Diabetic foot care
Diabetic foot care

Alternative Names    Return to top

Foot care for diabetics

Information    Return to top

If you have diabetes you are more prone to foot problems, because the disease can damage your blood vessels and nerves. This, in turn, may make you less able to sense injury or pressure on your foot. You may not notice a foot injury until severe infection develops.

Diabetes also changes the immune system, decreasing the body's ability to fight infection. Small infections may rapidly progress to death of the skin and other tissues (necrosis). Amputation of the affected limb may be needed to save the patient's life. Improved blood sugar control can help prevent foot problems.

If you have diabetes, you are at higher risk for developing foot problems if you:

If you have diabetes, get a foot exam at least twice a year by your health care provider and learn whether you have nerve damage.

To prevent injury to the feet, check and care for your feet EVERY DAY, especially if you already have known nerve or blood vessel damage or current foot problems. Follow the instructions below.

DAILY CARE ROUTINE

TIPS ON SHOES AND SOCKS

MORE HELPFUL TIPS

References    Return to top

American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2007. Diabetes Care. 2007; 30(Suppl.1):S4-S41.

American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S12-S54.

Hunt D. Foot ulcers and amputations in diabetes. Clin Evid. 2006;(15):576-584.

American Diabetes Association (ADA). Standards of medical care in diabetes. IV. Prevention/delay of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:S7-S8.

Inzuchhi SE and Sherwin RS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L and Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 248.

Update Date: 6/17/2008

Updated by: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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