You Can Teach Your Feet

When you are trying to support and care for an elderly loved one in your life who also suffers from diabetes, there are many health concerns that you need to consider. However, if you yourself do not have diabetes, it can be difficult for you to understand the importance of foot care and podiatry services as they relate to this health disorder. If you want to be sure that you are providing your loved one with the best possible care, get to know some of the steps in proper foot care that you should take. Then, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to prevent foot-related diabetic complications.

Be Sure Their Toenails Are Regularly Trimmed And Maintained

If a person has diabetes, even trimming their toenails properly is important. Untrimmed or improperly trimmed toenails can lead to ingrown toenails, bleeding, infections, and the like.

There are a few choices for your elderly loved one with diabetes as far as maintaining and regularly trimming their toenails. One of the options is for you to do it for them. You need to be careful not to cause any foot injuries or bleeding while trimming the nails. You also want to ensure that you cut the nails straight across if possible.

If you are not comfortable trimming and maintaining their nails yourself, you can take them to a podiatrist or possibly even their primary care provider's office for regular trimming and foot checks. This will help you to be sure that your loved one's toenails are not a risk.

Take Them In To The Doctor For Any Cut Or Sore

The feet are so vulnerable for diabetics partially because the disorder affects a person's circulation. The low circulation to the feet means that virtually any cut or sore, no matter how small can lead to a serious infection in a short amount of time.

So, if and when you are helping your loved one put on their socks and shoes or helping them bathe, be on the lookout for any sores or scratches on their feet. Take them to the podiatrist immediately if there are any noticeable injuries to their feet so that they can be checked out and treated to prevent infection. Their doctor may even prescribe antibiotics at any signs of pink skin or blistering on or around the sore to prevent infections and complications that could easily spiral out of control.

Now that you know a few of the ways that you can help your elderly loved one with diabetes care for their feet, you can be sure that you are taking the steps necessary to provide them with the care and support they need. To learn more, speak with someone like Aiken Maurice W, DPM PA.