Beware of Wounds
If you’ve been living with diabetes for a few years, then you probably know that you need to show extra care to your feet. As a diabetic, you risk losing optimal circulation to your feet. When blood can’t reach your feet, it becomes very challenging to fight off infections. That’s why the main goal of all diabetic foot care is preventing infections that could lead to amputations. You should always be vigilant against potential threats that could cause wounds or ulcers on your feet. After all, an open wound is an open door for infection. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few ways you can be on the lookout for wounds.
Stop! Check your Shoes!
We all live busy lives, and it’s easy to just slip into your shoes without thinking about it. Before putting on your shoes, you should run your fingers over the entire interior of each of your shoes, including:
Down to the very tip of the toe
Over the insoles
Around the sides
As you do this, you should be looking for any foreign objects or malfunctions in the shoe that could cause unwanted friction. Any repeated friction could open the skin on your feet and cause a wound to form.
Get the Right Fit
Speaking of shoes, you should also be sure to find shoes that fit snuggly without cramping your feet. Shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause unwanted friction that leads to a wound. If you have trouble finding shoes that fit correctly, talk to your foot doctor about being fitted for custom orthotics.
Never Go Barefoot
Once you find shoes that fit right, it’s absolutely necessary for you to wear them everywhere you go. Although it can be tempting in the summer to take your shoes off and walk barefoot through the grass, doing so puts you at extreme risk for stepping on an unseen sharp object.
The most important part of wound care is alerting your podiatrist as soon as possible after finding a wound on your feet. Fighting infections is hard, but not impossible as long as you keep time on your side. If you’re located in in Westfield, Indiana, or the surrounding Hamilton County area, our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. David Sullivan, can help you treat your wounds quickly and effectively. Make an appointment online at Westfield Foot and Ankle today or call (317) 896-6655 to speak with a member of our staff.