And you thought toe jam was bad?

And you thought toe jam was bad?

2 feet – 10 toes – 8 tips to care for them

Foot complications are a major issue for people with diabetes. Skin changes, calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to serious problems if not taken care of immediately. Here are some tips to protect your feet and avoid foot complications.

• Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash them every day with mild soap. Dry them off carefully, especially between your toes. If the skin on your feet is too dry, apply a lotion thinly everywhere but between the toes.
• Inspect your feet and between your toes daily. Look for swollen areas, red areas, and cuts or breaks in the skin and feel for very cold areas (this could mean poor blood circulation) and very warm areas (this could mean infection).
• Never go barefoot. Although this is a good rule for everyone, it is really important for people who have lost sensation in their feet. Wear swimmers' shoes whenever you go swimming.
• Make a habit of cutting your toenails to follow the curve of your toe. This helps you avoid ingrown toenails.
• Wear only comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Don't expect to break in new shoes—they should feel comfortable right away. Shoes made of leather helpyour feet get the air circulation they need to stay healthy.
• If you have a loss of sensation in your feet or have neuropathy, you may not be able to trust how a shoe feels to decide whether the fit is good for you. Find a shoewear specialist who is trained to fit people with diabetes.
• Never try amateur surgery on your feet. Have your provider or podiatrist treat calluses, corns, plantar warts, and the like.
• Get early treatment for foot problems! Call your doctor or podiatrist if you have any of theses problems:
  
  
• An open sore (ulcer) on your foot
• A cut or blister that is slow to heal
• Any infection in a cut or blister
• A red, tender toe—possibly an ingrown toenail
• Any change in feeling, such as pain, tingling, numbness, or burning
• Any puncture wound, such as if you step on a nail or thorn

(Taken from American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes, 4th edition)