Diabetes - How to care for feet, Diabetes Projects Trust, healthy School Tuckshops

HOW TO TREAT YOUR FEET Poor control of diabetes can damage both your blood vessels and your nerves to your feet. This causes poor circulation and los of feeling in your feet and can lead to ulceration and amputation. Feet need special care and attention if they are to last a lifetime. Follow this simple advice to help prevent any damage	Gently dab your feet completely dry with a clean towel, especially between the toes	Avoid extremes of temperature like heaters and fires as these can lead to undetected burns.	Change your socks/stockings daily, wool, cotton or towelling socks are best.Use socks that fit well	Gumboots may only be used in wet weather since the skin cannot breathe properly in gumboots.
Wash your feet every day or take a footbath in lukewarm soapy water(Pure soap in cake form)	Look at your feet for blisters, sores, scratches and areas of discoloured skin. Use a mirror or a caregiver to help	Clip toenails straight across and do not make them too short. It is easier to do this after a footbath, file the edges.	Always wear comfortable footwear so as not to rub your feet. Use shoes made of leather or soft hide that are the correct size and fitting. Examine the insides regularly for foreign objects.	Visit your Podiatrist regularly. Contact your doctor if you observe sores, discoloured skin etc.