Why Do People with Diabetes Need Foot Exams?

Overview

You must be vigilant in many areas of your health if you have diabetes. This includes making a habit of daily foot exams in addition to monitoring your blood glucose levels, eating a healthy and balanced diet, taking prescribed medications, and staying active. 

Proper foot monitoring can reduce your chances of developing foot conditions that may result in serious complications. This involves daily self-exams and annual professional evaluations.

Why is a foot exam important?

Proper foot care for people with diabetes is vital to overall health. According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 in 4 people with diabetes will develop a foot condition that requires intervention.

One condition that may lead to further complications in the feet is neuropathy. This is the result of nerve damage that causes difficulty or inability to feel your feet or other extremities.

Neuropathy is common in people with diabetes because high blood sugar damages the nerve fibers in your body.

Foot problems related to neuropathy can result in foot injuries that you won’t realize you have. A study in the Journal of Family Practice reports that up to half of people who have sensory loss from neuropathy may have no symptoms at all. This can cause further foot damage.

Other serious foot conditions that may develop in those with diabetes include:

• calluses
• ulcers
• infections
• bone and joint pain
• deformities
• vascular disease
• breakdown of skin
• changes in skin temperature

Neglecting to care for your feet, or seek intervention for a developing condition, can lead to worsening symptoms and more serious treatments.

How to give yourself a foot exam

Those with diabetes must monitor their feet daily to maintain foot health. Basic aspects of a foot self-exam include looking for changes to the feet, such as:

• cuts, cracks, blisters, or sores
• infection
• calluses
• hammer toes or bunions
• changes in foot color
• changes in foot temperature
• redness, tenderness, or swelling
• ingrown toenails
• changes to the size or shape of the foot

If you have difficulty seeing your feet, try using a mirror to help you examine them, or ask a friend or loved one to help you. Daily foot monitoring can help reduce more complicated conditions that may develop because of diabetes.

When should you see a doctor?

Contact your doctor or podiatrist if you notice any changes to your feet. You shouldn’t treat abnormalities to your feet at home. Your doctor will evaluate the condition and conduct necessary tests to determine your diagnosis. Early diagnosis will reduce your risk of further complications.

Those with diabetes should also see their doctor annually for a preventative foot exam.

Source: healthline

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