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senior living FOCUS ON

THE FEET

by MELANIE TAWIL

The spring and summer time can be an incredibly busy time for many of us where we neglect to look at some of the smaller items in our health care; I’m talking feet. Foot care is one that many forget about and can become a serious issue in living with diabetes.

Every day you should set aside a time to go over the pressure areas on your feet, focusing especially between your toes. Any breaks in the skin, discharge, change in color, change in odor, painful corns and calluses can be the first signs of distress. When taking off your socks, remember to inspect them for any stones or rough edges. If you have difficulty accessing your feet, have a friend or family member do this for you.

Trimming your toenails falls in line with foot care because untrimmed & infected toenails can cause frequent infections and ulcers. Ask your diabetes doctor how to trim them correctly. Soak and soften your feet first in order to soften nails and then trim straight across. Nails that are thick, crumbly, or discolored may need professional help. When soaking your feet, make sure that you don’t burn your feet. When you get older, nerve damage inevitably occurs and this can make keeping warm in the winter a big problem.

Lastly, make sure you keep that good moisture around. Nerve damage and poor circulation can cause a decrease of function of the glands that moisturize your feet naturally. Watch out for red, shiny areas. Use a good, thick cream after bathing and avoid leaving too much between your toes. Wipe away excess with a towel.