a podiatrist and diabetes

a podiatrist and diabetes

Why would a diabetic see a podiatrist?

It’s important to see a podiatrist regularly, even when your feet aren’t bothering you. Podiatrists are often the first to notice diabetes-related foot problems, because patients may have nerve damage, limited mobility, or simply can’t see issues on the bottoms of the feet.

How often should a diabetic visit a podiatrist?

Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check. Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it’s free on the NHS. This is because you’re more likely to have serious foot problems and these can lead to amputations.

When providing foot care for a diabetic patient What should you not do?

Don’t wash your feet in hot water, which could cause burns. Don’t use a heating pad, water bottles, or electric blankets on your feet, because they could cause burns. Don’t cross your legs or stand in one position for a long time. This can block blood flow to your feet.

What does diabetes do to legs?

Having diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels that supply your legs and feet. This puts affected people at increased risk of developing ulcers on the feet and legs which can become infected, and in the worst cases, develop gangrene (where the tissue dies, resulting in the need for amputation).

Why should diabetics not walk barefoot?

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy, that makes you lose feeling in your feet. This can be a disaster if you’re walking around without foot protection. Diabetes can also compromise your circulation. Your feet are far away from your heart, and blood flow reduces to your soles, heels, and toes.

How often should a diabetic see an ophthalmologist?

If you have type 1 diabetes, you hold have a complete eye exam within five years of your diagnosis. If you have the more common type 2, you should get your eyes checked at the same time as your diagnosis. After that, everyone with diabetes should have an eye exam at least once a year.

Why can’t diabetics cut toenails?

Diabetes may cause nerve damage and numbness in your feet, which means you could have a foot wound without knowing it. Poor circulation makes healing harder, which increases your risk of infection and slow-healing wounds.

Does diabetes affect your toenails?

People with diabetes are more likely than those without diabetes to get a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This infection usually affects the toenails. The nails will turn yellow and become brittle.

What are 3 things you should never do to the feet of someone with diabetes?

Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.

What is the number one complication of diabetics?

Nerve damage (neuropathy): One of the most common diabetes complications, nerve damage can cause numbness and pain. Nerve damage most often affects the feet and legs but can also affect your digestion, blood vessels, and heart.

Should a diabetic wear socks to bed?

Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes. These socks have extra cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from fibers that wick moisture away from the skin. Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks.

What does diabetic legs look like?

Also known as “shin spots,” the hallmark of diabetic dermopathy is light brown, scaly patches of skin, often occurring on the shins. These patches may be oval or circular. They’re caused by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the tissues with nutrition and oxygen.

What part of the foot hurts with diabetes?

Diabetic foot pain is mainly due to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Approximately 50% of people who have type 2 diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, which happens when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the nerves in the legs and the feet.

Why do diabetics have skinny legs?

Diabetic amyotrophy is thought to be caused by an abnormality of the immune system, which damages the tiny blood vessels which supply the nerves to the legs. This process is called microvasculitis. The likelihood of getting it does not seem to be related to how long you have diabetes, or how severely you are affected.

Why do diabetics have thick toenails?

Diabetics often have reduced blood flow to their feet, which may cause thicker toenails or numbness. With psoriasis, the nail may lift away from the toe. Make sure you take good care of yourself to avoid complications of either diabetes or psoriasis.

Why should diabetics not wear sandals?

April 22, 2011 — Many patients with diabetes fall short on foot care and footwear, according to a new study. Failure to perform recommended foot care and wearing inappropriate footwear can set diabetes patients up for foot ulcers. Ulcers are painful and potentially serious. They can sometimes lead to amputation.

Why do diabetics have to take off their shoes?

Diabetics may have a small cut or a pebble in their shoe and not know it due to this loss of sensation. Simple foot injuries such as these can progress to an ulcer, which is often painless. If left untreated, an ulcer may progress to where an amputation of the foot is needed.

How long does it take for diabetes to damage eyes?

A healthy retina is necessary for good eyesight. Diabetic retinopathy can cause the blood vessels in the retina to leak or become blocked and damage your sight. Typically, diabetic patients will develop diabetic retinopathy after they have had diabetes for between 3-5 years.

Should a diabetic see an ophthalmologist or optometrist?

People with diabetes are advised to see an optometrist once a year for an annual eye exam to catch the earliest stages of any diabetes-related eye complications and prevent them from worsening.

What kind of eye doctor should a diabetic see?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is an eye specialist. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry. Once you have eye disease caused by diabetes, you will likely also see an ophthalmologist.