Having diabetes greatly increases your risk of developing ulcers and, beyond that, infected ulcers. Getting regular diabetic foot care in Hampton and Williamsburg, VA, is essential to the good health of your feet. The podiatrists at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists, a team made up of Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas, provide not only diabetic foot care but care for all your foot issues.
Diabetes and your feet
Diabetes is a condition that comes with a diverse set of health complications. It can affect much more than just the amount of sugar in your blood. It causes heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and issues with oral health, mental health, hearing, and vision. When it comes to your feet, the complications are nerve damage, which causes neuropathy, and blood vessel damage. When your feet lose feeling, it is much easier for them to get injured with you not being aware of it because you don't feel anything, and damage to your blood vessels limits circulation and delays healing.
Keeping your diabetes under control is the only way you can manage the risk factors that come with diabetes. Things you should avoid include:
- Walking barefoot
- Going without sunscreen on your feet
- Warming your feet near a heater or fire
- Wearing tight-fitting shoes that could cause blisters
Preventing complications in diabetic feet
Getting diabetic foot care in Hampton and Williamsburg, VA, is essential for the long-term health of your feet. Having regular appointments with a podiatrist can make sure that any issues are dealt with quickly and thoroughly.
Things you need to do to avoid complications are:
- Check your feet every day
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Have your podiatrist remove corns or calluses
- Keep toenails trimmed straight across
- Raise your feet when sitting
- Always wear shoes or slippers
It is vital that you recognize the seriousness of damage to your feet from diabetes. If your foot becomes infected from a cut or an ulcer, it can cause catastrophic damage to your feet and legs. Gangrene and amputation are possibilities for those with diabetic neuropathy.
For vital diabetic foot care in Hampton and Williamsburg, VA, you can rely on the team of podiatrists at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists. Make an appointment today by calling (757) 220-3311.