Cart

Monthly Archives

February 2021

how to get rid of nail infection

Why is diabetic foot care important for people with diabetes?

By Blog

Why is diabetic foot care important for people with diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body fails to make insulin or does not use it the way it should.

Diabetes can be dangerous to the feet because it causes severe nerve damage that can reduce adequate blood circulation to the feet.
In untreated and extreme cases, a foot amputation may be the last resort for diabetic patients.
If you have diabetes and wish to prevent this from happening to you, you must understand the importance of diabetic foot care management.

In this article, we will go through:

  • Why is diabetic foot care critical?
  • Signs of foot problems
  • Do’s and don’ts of diabetic foot care
  • Importance of toenail care
  • Footwear tips for diabetic patients
  • Final thoughts

Why is diabetic foot care critical?

Diabetic patients suffer from nerve damage and blood circulation problems, because of which they are prone to infections and other serious foot problems.
By taking all the necessary precautions, one can prevent severe consequences like a foot amputation.
Responsible foot care routine includes:

    • Regular medical examinations
    • Regular foot checkups with a podiatrist (Google: ‘Foot Clinic near me’)
    • Monitoring blood sugar levels daily
    • Regular exercise
    • Eating a balanced diet

Signs of foot problems

It is essential to identify and diagnose early warning signs and symptoms of foot problems, like:

  • loss of sensation to touch, heat, or cold
  • burning or painful feet
  • changes to the colour of your feet
  • variations to the shape of your feet
  • loss of hair on the feet, toes, and lower legs
  • thickening of the toenails
  • the appearance of ulcers, red spots, sores, blisters, ingrown toenails, or infected corns.

If you observe these early warning signs, contact Diabetic foot care management Bucks immediately. Any delays would result in critical consequences.

Dos and don’ts of diabetic foot care

Dos:

Inspect your feet

  • It is essential to regularly inspect your feet and toes, including the tops, sides, heels, and soles.
  • If you cannot physically examine your feet, you can ask someone to do it for you or visit a foot clinic near me.
  • If you observe any redness, sores, cuts, or bruises, contact Diabetic foot care management Bucks immediately.

Wash your feet

  • Wash your feet regularly with lukewarm water and mild soap.
  • Washing your feet with hot water and harsh soap can be damaging for your skin.
  • It is also important to be gentle with your feet while cleaning them.
  • Make sure to check the water temperature using your hands or elbows.
  • Your diabetes can cause your legs to lose sensation, making it difficult to check the water temperature with your feet.

Dry your feet

  • Keep your feet dry. Infections occur in moist areas, so make sure to pat your feet to dry them.
  • Do not forget to dry the area between your toes as well.

Moisturise dry skin

  • If the skin on your feet looks and feels dry, apply lotion or oils such as coconut oil.
  • Do not use oil or cream between your toes as it may cause a fungal infection.

Cut nails carefully

  • Podiatrists advise cutting your toenails straight across while filing the edges.
  • It would be best not to cut your toenails too short because this could cause ingrown toenails.
  • For further questions regarding your nails, feel free to contact Foot Care Beaconsfield.

Don’ts:

  • Use antiseptic products as they tend to burn the skin. Avoid using them on your feet without your podiatrist’s approval.
  • Never use a hot water bottle, electric blanket, or heating pad on your feet.
  • Avoid walking barefoot even inside the home because it can cause injuries that can later become infected, so diabetic patients should wear socks to avoid injuries.
  • Safeguard your feet from extreme heat and cold.
  • Do not remove warts, corns, or calluses on your own.
  • Never use razor blades, chemical wart removers, or callus removers. Book an appointment with Foot Care Beaconsfield.
  • Don’t stand in one position for a long time.
  • Don’t sit with your legs crossed or cross your ankles.

Don't suffer from foot pain any longer

Book your appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic

Book Appointment

Importance of toenail care

  • Routine toenail care is also essential for those with diabetes due to nerve and blood circulation problems in the feet. Not taking proper care of your toenail can be unsafe.
  • Proper toenail care can help you avoid getting a foot sore or an ulcer.

The following are a few tips that will help you take care of your toenails:

  • Wash your feet before trimming your toenails because this will make your nails soft.
  • Cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.
  • Avoid cutting into the corners. Just file the edges to make them smooth.
  • Do not cut toenails too short.
  • Have your toenails trimmed by a podiatrist if your nails are thick, yellow or if you have a toe infection.

Footwear tips for diabetic patients

  • Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes.
  • Buy shoes made from breathable materials like leather, suede, or canvas.
  • Avoid wearing flip-flops, thong sandals, high heels, or open-toe shoes.
  • Wear shoes that can have laces or Velcro for adjustment.
  • Inspect the inside of your shoes regularly for tears that may cause irritation or shoe bite.

Final thoughts

If you take good care of your feet, then many foot problems are avoided. Report any cuts, corns, sores, infections, calluses, bruises, or foot pain to your podiatrist.

Remember that foot-related problems can quickly worsen if they remain untreated, especially if you have diabetes, so it is essential to seek medical attention right away.
Diabetic patients should get their feet checked at least once a year by a podiatrist to detect problems as soon as they arrive. All you have to do is search “Foot Clinic near me,” and schedule your appointment.

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us

how to get rid of nail infection

Should you see a podiatrist for pain in your ankles?

By Blog

Who are podiatrists, and what do they do?

A podiatrist is not a Medical Doctor (M.D.), but they attend four years in podiatry school.
Podiatrists specialise in ankle and feet disorders. General podiatry treats foot other irregularities such as:

  • over-pronation,
  • flat feet,
  • high or low arches,
  • balance-related problems
  • pain in the ankle and foot.

Podiatrists also diagnose and treat:

  • blisters,
  • foot fungi,
  • corns,
  • heel pain,
  • toenail problems,
  • bunions,
  • foot-related issues associated with diabetes and health conditions.
    A certified Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) can also perform surgery on the ankles and feet.

Conditions Podiatrists Treat

  1. Fractures and sprains
    A general podiatry service commonly includes treating fractures and sprains in the feet. Injuries can occur at any time from accidents, sports, running, dancing, and so forth.
    Serious injuries can involve broken bones or damaged muscles, causing severe pain and leading to severe complications if left untreated.
    A podiatrist will conduct a physical examination along with an X-ray or CT scan to determine the nature of your injury and build an effective treatment plan.
  1. Flat feet and hammertoes
    Flat feet can lead to unbearable pain in the leg, knee, and foot. This condition can ultimately create mobility challenges if not properly treated.
    Although flat feet generally appear in young children, it may be progressive and may intensify later in life.
    Hammertoes are a deformity of joints located in the toes. Like flat feet, this condition is prevalent in kids, but it can intensify later due to poor-fitting shoes.
    These conditions may seem like mild deformities, but it can quickly become more rigid and painful if left untreated.
    Since they are progressive conditions, it requires immediate attention and diagnosis from a podiatrist.
    These conditions are very treatable.
    The treatment typically includes physical therapy, special fitting shoes, anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotic devices, and surgical corrections if necessary.
  1. Nail disorders
    An ingrown toenail is a condition when a corner of a nail grows into the toe’s skin instead of straight out.
    Initially, an ingrown toenail causes minor discomfort and inflammation. However, it could intensify into severe infection and inflammation.
    Many say that ingrown toenails are a hereditary condition; however, other factors can contribute to this development.
    Athletes are also prone to developing nail disorders.
    Treat an ingrown toenail promptly as it reduces the chances of surgery in the future.
    If you think you are dealing with a nail disorder, you must immediately contact your local general podiatry services.
  1. Diabetes
    Diabetes is a medical condition where the body either doesn’t make insulin or fails to use it in the way it should. Diabetes can harm the nerves in the legs or feet, creating a hurdle in transporting enough blood to the feet.
    Many diabetic patients end up having a foot amputation by not correctly following diabetic foot care management routines. To prevent a diabetic foot amputation, you must seek help from a podiatrist or chiropodist Amersham.
  1. Arthritis
    Arthritis commonly occurs in the toes, foot or ankle joints, making it very difficult for the patient to walk and perform everyday tasks.
    While there is no proven cure for arthritis, visiting podiatry services bucks can help slow down the progression.
  1. Heel pain
    Heel pain is one of the most commonly diagnosed foot ailment that is treated by podiatry services bucks.
    Causes of heel pain may include Plantar Fasciitis, stress fractures, tendon, inflammation of the Achilles, arthritis, tumours, or nerve irritation. Regardless of what has caused heel pain, the discomfort and pain can be unbearable and requires an immediate diagnosis by an experienced podiatrist or chiropodist Amersham.
  1. Neuromas and Metatarsalgia
    Neuromas cause intense burning due to the swollen nerves in the feet. This condition is excruciating, and the symptoms will worsen as the nerve enlarges. Women who wear narrow shoes are particularly prone to this nerve condition.
    Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes chronic pain in the ball of the foot. This condition generally occurs from participation in sports or from wearing tight-fitting shoes.
    A podiatrist is capable of diagnosing and treating these conditions effectively and will prevent them from developing again.

Reasons why you should see a Podiatrist

We often take our feet for granted. We need our feet to get about, drive, run, play sports and countless other activities.
Research suggests that an average 50-year-old has walked more than 75,000 miles.
Your feet include many small bones, ligaments, and tendons that work in a synchronised way to work correctly.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you must contact a podiatrist:

  • Foot and ankle pain
  • Discolored toenails
  • Growths like warts and other infection
  • Scaling on your soles

Don't suffer from foot pain any longer

Book your appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic

Book Appointment

What to Expect at the Podiatrist?

Visits to a podiatrist are quite similar to any other doctor. They will inquire about your medical history and whether you have been through any surgeries or not.
They will also observe the way you stand and walk.
Based on your condition, the podiatrist might suggest special shoes, orthotics, or physical therapy for the pain.

Final Thoughts

Suppose you are experiencing chronic foot or ankle pain. In that case, you should not waste any time in scheduling an appointment with your local general podiatry service.
Podiatrists are highly skilled professionals who will use different treatment methods to diagnose and reduce your pain. They will also recommend lifestyle modifications to make so you can enjoy a pain-free life.
Keep in mind that many foot-related problems are progressive, and you should not leave them untreated.