Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy.What are diabetes problems? Too much sugar in the blood for a long time causes diabetes problems. This high blood sugar can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. , and kidneys. Diabetes problems can be scary, but there is a lot you can do to prevent them or slow them down. This booklet is about feet and skin problems caused by diabetes. You will learn the things you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes problems. What should I do each day to stay healthy with diabetes? Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian dietitian /di·e·ti·tian/ (di?e-tish´in) one skilled in the use of diet in health and disease. di·e·ti·tian or di·e·ti·cian n. A person specializing in dietetics. have worked out. Eat your meals and snacks at around the same times each day. Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you. Take your diabetes medicine at the same times each day. Check your blood sugar every day. Each time you check your blood sugar, write the number in your record book. Call your doctor if your numbers are too high or too low for 2 to 3 days. Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails. Brush and floss (Free, Libre and Open Source Software) See free software and open source. your teeth and gums every day. Don't smoke. How can diabetes hurt my feet? High blood sugar from diabetes causes two problems that can hurt your feet: 1. Nerve damage. One problem is damage to nerves in your legs and feet. With damaged nerves, you might not feel pain, heat, or cold in your legs and feet. You might let a sore or cut on your foot get worse because you do not know it is there. This lack of feeling is called diabetic neuropathy Diabetic Neuropathy Definition Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes mellitus. Diabetic neuropathy may be diffuse, affecting several parts of the body, or focal, affecting a specific nerve and part of the body. (ne-ROP-uh-thee). It can lead to a large sore or infection. 2. Poor blood flow. The second problem happens when not enough healthy blood flows to your legs and feet. Poor blood flow makes it hard for a sore or infection to heal. This problem is called peripheral (puh-RIF-uh-rul) vascular disease. Smoking when you have diabetes makes blood flow problems much worse. These two problems can work together to cause a foot problem. For example, you get a blister blister, puffy swelling of the outer skin (epidermis) caused by burn, friction, or irritants like poison ivy. A response of the body to protect deeper tissue, blisters generally contain serum, the liquid component of blood. from shoes that do not fit. You do not feel the pain from the blister because you have nerve damage in your foot. Next, the blister gets infected. If blood sugar is high, the extra sugar feeds the germs. Germs grow and the infection gets worse. Poor blood flow to your legs and feet can slow down healing. Once in a while a bad infection never heals. The infection might cause gangrene gangrene, local death of body tissue. Dry gangrene, the most common form, follows a disturbance of the blood supply to the tissues, e.g., in diabetes, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, or destruction of tissue by injury. (GANG-green). If a person has gangrene, the skin and tissue around the sore die. The area becomes black and smelly smell·y adj. smell·i·er, smell·i·est Informal Having a noticeable, usually unpleasant or offensive odor. smelly Adjective [smellier, smelliest . To keep gangrene from spreading, a doctor may have to do surgery to cut off a toe, foot, or part of a leg. Cutting off a body part is called an amputation amputation (ăm'pyətā`shən), removal of all or part of a limb or other body part. Although amputation has been practiced for centuries, the development of sophisticated techniques for treatment and prevention of infection has greatly (amp-yoo-TAY-shun). What can I do to take care of my feet? * Wash your feet in warm water every day. Make sure the water is not too hot by testing the temperature with your elbow. Do not soak your feet. Dry your feet well, especially between your toes. * Look at your feet every day to check for sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or other problems. Checking every day is even more important if you have nerve damage or poor blood flow. If you cannot bend over Bend over may refer to the action of bending one's body over, as in to pick up something, or, for example, as the hydra does in order to move when hunting, in dancing (like in the various breakdance moves), gymnastics, and sports (like snap football). or pull your foot up to check your feet, use a mirror. If you cannot see well, ask someone else to check your feet. * If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Do not put lotion between your toes. * File corns and calluses corns and calluses, thickenings of the outer layer of skin where there is irritation or constant pressure. Corns are cone-shaped with their points protruding into the dermis, or inner layer of skin. gently with an emery board emery board n. A nail file consisting of a strip of cardboard coated with powdered emery. emery board Noun a strip of cardboard coated with crushed emery, for filing one's fingernails or pumice pumice (pŭm`ĭs), volcanic glass formed by the solidification of lava that is permeated with gas bubbles. Usually found at the surface of a lava flow, it is colorless or light gray and has the general appearance of a rock froth. stone. Do this after your bath or shower. Move the emery board in only one direction. * Cut your toenails once a week. Cut toenails when they are soft from washing. Cut them to the shape of the toe and not too short. Do not cut into the corners because you might cut the skin. Sharp edges can make a sore that can get infected. File toenails with an emery board. If you cannot cut your own toenails, ask someone who can or go to a foot doctor. * Always wear shoes or slippers. Never walk barefoot, even when you are at home. * Always wear socks or stockings. Do not wear socks or knee-high stockings that are too tight below your knee. * Wear shoes that fit Shoes That Fit is a non-profit organization based in Claremont, CA that provides shoes and other clothing to kids in need. Shoes That Fit began in 1992 helping children at one elementary school in Pomona, CA. well. Buy shoes made of canvas or leather. Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are bigger. Break in shoes slowly. Wear them 1 to 2 hours each day for the first 1 to 2 weeks. * Only use medicines your doctor tells you to use. How can I get my doctor to help me take care of my feet? * Tell your doctor right away about any foot problems. * Ask your doctor to look at your feet at each diabetes checkup check·up n. 1. An examination or inspection. 2. A general physical examination. checkup See Yearly checkup. . To make sure your doctor checks your feet, take off your shoes and socks before your doctor comes into the room. * Ask your doctor to check how well the nerves in your feet sense feeling. * Ask your doctor to check how well blood is flowing to your legs and feet. * Ask your doctor to show you the best way to trim your toenails. Ask what lotion or cream to use on your legs and feet. * If you cannot cut your toenails or you have a foot problem, ask your doctor to send you to a foot doctor. A doctor who cares for feet is called a podiatrist Podiatrist A physician who specializes in the medical care and treatment of the human foot. Mentioned in: Shin Splints podiatrist (puh-DY-uh-trist). What are common diabetes foot problems? Anyone can have corns, blisters, and athlete's foot athlete's foot: see ringworm. athlete's foot Form of ringworm that affects the feet. In the inflammatory type, the infection may lie inactive much of the time, with occasional acute episodes in which blisters develop, mostly between the toes. . If you have diabetes and your blood sugar stays high, these foot problems can lead to infections. Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure on the same spot. Corns and calluses can become infected. Blisters can form if shoes always rub the same spot. Wearing shoes that do not fit or wearing shoes without socks can cause blisters. Blisters can become infected. Ingrown toenails ingrown toenail Onychocryptosis Podiatry The growth of the edge of a toenail–usually of the great toe–into the skin surrounding the nail, which may be accompanied by inflammation or pain Etiology congenitally curved nails, fungal infection, trauma Risk happen when an edge of the nail grows into the skin. The skin can get red and infected. Ingrown toenails can happen if you cut into the corners of your toenails when you trim them. If toenail toenail /toe·nail/ (to´nal) the nail on any of the digits of the foot. ingrown toenail see under nail. toe·nail n. edges are sharp, smooth them with an emery board. You can also get an ingrown toenail if your shoes are too tight. A bunion bunion, swelling or thickening around the first joint of the big toe. The toe is forced inward and compresses the other toes. The fluid-filled sac, or bursa, in the toe joint becomes inflamed (a condition called bursitis), which may lead to pain, deformity, and an forms when your big toe big toe n. The largest and innermost toe of the human foot. slants toward the small toes and the place between the bones near the base of your big toe grows big. This spot can get red, sore, and infected. Bunions can form on one or both feet. Pointy shoes may cause bunions. Bunions often run in the family. Surgery can remove bunions. Plantar warts are caused by a virus. The warts usually form on the bottoms of the feet and tend to go away without treatment. Hammertoes form when a foot muscle gets weak. The weakness may be from diabetic nerve damage. The weakened muscle makes the tendons in the foot shorter and makes the toes curl under the feet. You may get sores on the bottoms of your feet and on the tops of your toes. The feet can change their shape. Hammertoes can cause problems with walking and finding shoes that fit well. Hammertoes can run in the family. Wearing shoes that are too short can also cause hammertoes. Dry and cracked skin can happen because the nerves in your legs and feet do not get the message to keep your skin soft and moist. Dry skin can become cracked and allow germs to enter. If your blood sugar is high, sugar feeds the germs and makes the infection worse. Athlete's foot is a fungus that causes redness and cracking of the skin. It is itchy itch·y adj. Having or causing an itching sensation. . The cracks between the toes allow germs to get under the skin. If blood sugar is high, the sugar feeds the germs and makes the infection worse. The infection can spread to the toenails and make them thick, yellow, and hard to cut. All of these foot problems can be taken care of. Tell your doctor about any foot problem as soon as you see it. How can special shoes help my feet? Special shoes can be made to fit softly around your sore feet or feet that have changed shape. These special shoes help protect your feet. Medicare and other health insurance programs may pay for special shoes. Talk to your doctor about how and where to get them. How can diabetes hurt my skin? Diabetes can hurt your skin in two ways: 1. If your blood sugar is high, your body loses fluid. With less fluid in your body, your skin can get dry. Dry skin can be itchy, causing you to scratch and make it sore. Also, dry skin can crack. Cracks allow germs to enter and cause infection. If your blood sugar is high, the sugar feeds germs and makes infections worse. Skin can get dry on your legs, feet, elbows, and other places on your body. 2. Skin can also get dry because the nerves in your legs and feet do not get the message to sweat. Sweating helps keep your skin soft and moist. What can I do to take care of my skin? * After you wash with a mild soap, make sure you rinse and dry yourself well. Check places where water can hide, such as under the arms. under the breasts, between the legs, and between the toes. * Keep your skin moist by using a lotion or cream after you wash. Ask your doctor to suggest one. * Drink lots of fluids, such as water, to keep your skin moist and healthy. * Wear all-cotton underwear. Cotton allows air to move around your body better. * Look at your body after you wash. Make sure you have no dry, red, or sore spots that might lead to an infection. * Tell your doctor about any skin problems. For more information Diabetes Teachers (nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals) To find a diabetes teacher near you, call the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
Recognized Diabetes Education Programs (teaching programs approved by the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of ) To find a program near you, call toll-free at 1-800--DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or see www.diabetes.org/education/edustate2.asp on the Internet. Dietitians To find a dietitian near you, call the American Dietetic dietetic /di·e·tet·ic/ (di?ah-tet´ik) pertaining to diet or proper food. di·e·tet·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to diet. 2. Association's National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics dietetics /di·e·tet·ics/ (-iks) the science of diet and nutrition. di·e·tet·ics n. The branch of therapeutics concerned with the practical application of diet in relation to health and disease. toll-free at 1-800-366-1655, or look on the Internet at www.eatright.org and click on "Find a Dietitian." Government The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, is an institute of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. (NIAMS NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (USA) ) is part of the National Institutes of Health. To learn more about feet and skin problems, write or call the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 1 AMS AMS - Andrew Message System Circle, Bethesda, MD 20892-3675, (301) 495-4484; or see www.nih.gov/niams on the Internet. More in the series The "Prevent Diabetes Problems" series includes seven booklets that can help you learn more about how to prevent diabetes problems. For free single copies of these booklets, call, write, fax, or email the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 Phone: (301) 654-3327 Fax: (301) 907-8906 Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov These booklets are also available under "Health Information" at www.niddk.nih.gov on the Internet. Acknowledgments The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse(NDIC) is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. thanks the people who helped review or field-test this booklet. For American Association of Diabetes Educators Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D.E. Arlington, VT Celia Levesque, R.N., C.D.E. Montgomery, AL Teresa McMahon, Pharm. D., C.D.E. Seattle, WA Barbara Schreiner, R.N., M.N., C.D.E. Galveston, TX For American Diabetes Association Phyllis Barrier, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. Alexandria, VA Linda Haas, Ph.C., R.N., C.D.E. Seattle, WA Kathleen Mahoney, M.S.N., R.N., C.D.E. Drexel Hill, PA Randi Kington, M.S., R.N., C.S., C.D.E. Hartford, CT Diabetes Research and Training Center Albert Einstein School of Medicine Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, CT Jill Ely, R.N., C.D.E. Sam Engel, M.D. Pam Howard, A.P.R.N., C.D.E. Diabetes Research and Training Center Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN Madelyn Wheeler, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., C.D.E. Diabetes Research and Training Center VA/JDF Diabetes Research Center Vanderbilt School of Medicine Nashville, TN Ok Chon Allison, M.S.N., R.N.C.S., A.N.P., C.D.E. Barbara Backer, B.S. James W. Pichert, Ph.D. Alvin Powers, M.D. Melissa E. Schweikhart Michael B. Smith Kathleen Wolffe, R.N. Grady Health System Diabetes Clinic Atlanta, GA Ernestine Baker, R.N., F.N.P., C.D.E. Kris Ernst, R.N., C.D.E. Margaret Fowke, R.D., L.D. Kay Mann, R.N., C.D.E. Health Care Financing Administration Baltimore, MD Jan Drass, R.N., C.D.E. Indian Health Service Albuquerque, NM Ruth Bear, R.D., C.D.E. Dorinda Bradley, R.N., C.D.E. Terry Fisher, R.N. Lorraine Valdez, R.N., C.D.E. Indian Health Service Red Lake, MN Charmaine Branchaud, B.S.N., R.N., C.D.E. Medlantic Research Center Washington, DC Resa Levetan, M.D. Texas Diabetes Council Texas Department of Health Austin, TX Luby Garza-Abijaoude, M.S., R.D., L.D. |
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