In case you didn’t already know, November is American Diabetes Month. Could you have diabetes and not know it?  There are 23.6 million children and adults in the US with diabetes — and nearly a quarter of them (or 5.7 million people) do not know it!

You may take for granted that the blister you got from your stiletto heel is just really annoying, but for those with diabetes, there’s a constant fear that a little blister could lead to a big foot problem…to the extreme of losing a limb!

Dr. Rick Delmonte, a New York City podiatrist specializing in limb salvage and diabetic foot care, advocates prevention because “many diabetics lose ‘protective sensation’ on their feet which puts them at high risk for the development of blisters, infections and eventually ulcerations.  Wearing shoes that rub, chafe and create friction on the skin may put the patient at an even higher risk.”

How Diabetes May Impact Your Feet

Blisters/Calluses: People with diabetes are much more vulnerable to blister or callus formation, which generally starts as a warm or red spot caused by unrelieved pressure or friction on the skin, and the failure of person to be able to feel the problem.

Examination and Education: See a licensed podiatrist regularly.

Exercise:  Exercising the feet by walking can increase blood flow and keep feet flexible.  Swimming and bicycling are other great ways to exercise and neither requires extensive weight bearing by the feet.

Nail Trimming prevents nails from becoming ingrown.

Control Your Diet: Eating low-fat, sugarless foods and monitoring blood glucose levels is key to controlling the progression of the disease.

Wear Properly Fitting Shoes: Blisters and irritation that result from ill-fitting shoes are an annoyance for most people.  For people with diabetes, blisters can lead to serious ulcers and bone infection. Dr. Delmonte suggests wearing shoes that absorb pressure and fit properly without extra slippage.  He also says to make sure that a shoe has the proper instep that conforms to the foot and doesn’t cause irritation.

Ulcers or Sores often occur as a result of the breakdown of several layers of skin.

Bone Infections may finally result when the breakdown of dermal tissue goes all the way to the bone. In severe cases this kind of infection may result in amputation of the foot.

Nerve Damage/Blocked Blood Vessels/Decreased Blood Flow

Weakened Bones/Collapsed Joints

What to Do

To get a better idea of where you stand, calculate your diabetes risk on the American Diabetes Association website with their handy risk calculator: http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp. Knowledge is power when it comes to anything to do with our health.  Prevention and/or diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in within your reach.  Take the time to access your own personal risk for diabetes and take your health into your own hands.

Laura Carson Miller is a freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert in Atlanta. Visit her website and blog at www.lauracarsonmiller.com

Photo credit © Valua Vitaly | Dreamstime.com

Tags: diabetes, dr. rick delmonte, foot care, foot care for diabetics, health, wellness