Treatment of diabetes requires not only reasonable blood glucose control but also effective prevention of diabetic complications, so as to improve patients’ quality of life. For the prevention of diabetic foot, we can start with small details in daily life to keep diabetic foot away.
Choose proper shoes and socksSoft leather shoes and sports shoes are the most ideal. Choose square-toed styles that are slightly wider than your feet, breathable, and able to resist external pressure.Do not wear high-heeled, pointed-toe, hard leather or plastic shoes.
Always check and remove any foreign objects inside the shoes.Cotton or wool socks are preferred, as they absorb sweat and are breathable. Socks should not be too large, and elasticated socks should be avoided.Change and wash socks daily. Do not wear socks with patches or holes, to avoid uneven pressure on the feet and impaired blood circulation.
Correct foot washing and careTo maintain foot hygiene, daily foot washing is recommended for diabetic patients.Before washing, always test the water temperature by hand or thermometer, because most diabetic patients have peripheral neuropathy and reduced temperature sensation.
Use warm water at about 40°C. Do not soak feet for too long.After washing, dry feet thoroughly with a soft towel, especially between the toes. A hair dryer on low setting can be used if needed.
Feet tend to crack in autumn and winter; moisturizer can be applied evenly.Never use hot water bottles, electric heaters or direct fire to warm feet in winter, to avoid scalding.
Regular foot inspection and timely medical treatmentInspect your feet regularly with a foot mirror or with help from others.Signs of possible foot damage include: dry cracked skin, cold or wet skin, swelling, dark skin color, loss of sensation, deformed toenails, local redness, swelling, heat or pain.Seek medical attention as soon as possible if any of these appear.
Foot disorders should be managed prevention-first. Do not ignore symptoms thinking “no pain, no problem” and delay treatment.Advanced diabetic foot treatments include vascular reconstruction, amputation, and autologous stem cell transplantation.Therefore, prevention is the best treatment:keep feet clean and dry; prevent injury and infection; do regular foot exercises.How to trim toenails
Trim toenails after washing when they are soft.Cut straight across, not too short or too close to the skin.Do not round or angle the edges, which may injure the nail groove and cause infection.
Foot exercises
Do leg and foot exercises for 30–60 minutes every day to improve lower limb blood circulation and prevent foot lesions.Exercises include: walking, heel‑toe raising, knee bending and squatting, leg swinging.
Wound care
Even small foot wounds in diabetic patients take a very long time to heal and require careful care.With nerve damage, you may not feel irritation or pain. Any broken skin is highly prone to infection with serious consequences.
Clean the wound thoroughly with a mild disinfectant (e.g., alcohol).
Cover with sterile gauze.
Avoid strong irritants such as iodine tincture.
Do not use dark-colored disinfectants like gentian violet, as they mask signs of infection.
Do not use plasters, corn caps or corrosive acidic medicines, which may cause skin ulcers.If a wound does not heal within 2–3 days, see a doctor immediately.Do not self-treat without medical guidance.
In short, paying attention to every detail in daily life can effectively prevent and reduce the occurrence of diabetic foot and avoid the troubles it brings to patients and their families.Details are the key to preventing diabetic foot.