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Foot Care A Necessary Step For Diabetics

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NASH COUNTY — Diabetes can lead to poor circulation andloss of feeling in the feet.

People withdiabetescan often tell when their blood sugar levels are high by thefeeling in their feet, but there is a condition they cannot feel thatalso is dangerous.

Diabetics need to pay special attention to their feet so theycan avoid the infections that can lead to manyother complications.

It is important for diabetics to wear proper fitting shoes and socks.

"It sounds like a simple thing to say, but many diabetics get in the habitof just wearing bedroom slippers or socks around thehouse. This is inappropriate. They, in general, need to have agood shoe on their foot," says podiatrist Dr. Bruce Fawcett.

Patients can be fitted for special shoes that donot rub or slip.

"If they have mobility problems or can't tie their shoes as well,diabetics should get velcroclosures, or at the very least, loafers," suggests Fawcett.

Shoes should provide lots of room for toes to movearound so they do not rub against one another.The inside of the shoe should not have any sharp or rough areas.

Because many diabetics also suffer from numbness in the feet, they maynot feel a callous or blister.

If an infection is not treated properly, it canlead to amputation of toes or the entire foot.

"Things that diabetics can do to take care oftheir feet include such simple measures as dailyinspections," says Fawcett.

There are two important reasons for people with diabetes to put cream ontheir feet each night: It helps moisturize the skin, and it cause peopleto look at their feet each day.

Diabetics should have any foot infection lookedat immediately and always have the doctor inspect feet during checkups. They will close attention to circulation and check for any loss of sensation.

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