I have type 2 diabetes. What can I do to care for and prevent complications in the feet of a diabetic?

Question

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my doctor told me that it can cause problems with my feet. I also read that these problems can lead to amputation in some cases, which worries me. What advice would you give me to take good care of my feet and avoid complications? And what do I do, when examining the feet, if I notice a wound?

Thi Lan Thi Duong · Accepted Answer

Hello, To care for and prevent complications in a diabetic's feet, it is essentially a matter of implementing measures to minimize the risk of injuries/infections and examining the feet periodically. In fact, the danger is that diabetes can decrease the sensitivity of the feet over time and therefore some injuries can go undetected, and therefore can easily be complicated into a severe infection when not detected or treated properly. To learn more about how diabetes affects the feet, I invite you to check out this article from Wounds Canada for more details.   It is recommended that you wash your feet with warm water and mild soap and then dry them well, especially between and under the toes, to avoid excessive moisture that can cause infection (Foot Care ). You can apply a moisturizer every day to your feet except between the toes, and wipe off any unabsorbed lotion. At the same time, examine your feet for any injuries, calluses, cracks, abnormal discoloration. I recommend wearing cotton socks, changing them daily as well as choosing well-fitting shoes. If you notice a wound on your foot, the first thing to do is to clean it with cooled salt water and then cover it with a dry bandage while making sure not to squeeze the foot. After that, you should check daily for signs of infection: heat, redness, swelling, a particular smell, or discharge. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have these signs.  It's my pleasure, Lan Thi Duong, pharmacy student (supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist)