People with diabetes can develop many complications, including several foot problems. Even ordinary complaints can rapidly worsen and cause serious complications. If this happens to the feet, it might lead to deformity, disability or perhaps amputation. 

It has been established that 15% of all diabetics will develop a serious foot problem at some point of time. The typical hospital stay for a patient with a diabetic foot is one month, and roughly 50% may have hospitalization for three months or more. 

Lower limb amputations in diabetic patients account for 50% of all non-traumatic amputations. The speed of lower-limb amputations in patients with DM (DM) is 40 times above in people without DM. The incidence of amputation of the opposite foot within three years is additionally very high. 

However, the great news is that with regular visits to the doctor and proper foot care, most of those problems are often prevented. 

1. Foot supports the body
2. Absorbs impact of locomotion
3. Normally, a person walks 10,000 steps daily
4. In a 70 kg person, >120 plenty of pressure is borne by the feet per mile of walking
5. Each step puts 150 lbs/sq. inch pressure on the soles
6. You will, thus, realize the tremendous impact of forces and stress that our feet bear.
7. Foot Foes
8. Hot water, steam, sunburn, electric heating pads and predicament bottles
9. Cold and frostbite
10. Tight shoes, stockings, sandal/Hawaii chappals, straps or nails in shoes will cause pressure on the foot
11. Chemicals and other strong medicinal applications
12. Adhesive tape
13. Wet, moist feet and webs
14. Careless cutting of nails
15. Vigorous rubbing/massage
16. Bunions, calluses and corns
17. Walking barefoot
18. Tobacco intake in any form like cigarettes, beedis, gutka, etc

Usually, in diabetes, the nerve get numb, so one often fails to note injury as there’s no pain felt. The sense of temperature is additionally lost; therefore, one won’t feel hot water or hot tiles while walking bare feet. 

Feet get deformed, altering the mechanics of weight-bearing, thus, exposing the areas of the feet to abnormally high pressures, which end in the breakdown of the skin. 

One sweats less in the feet; therefore, the foot skin becomes rough and dry, resulting in cracks, which permit bacteria to enter and cause infection. 

The ability to fight infection is reduced in diabetes because the body’s defence mechanism is weakened. Wound healing mechanisms are also affected, resulting in prolonged time in healing of the injuries. 

Adding to the issue is the fact that 20% of diabetes patients with foot problems have narrowed or blocked blood vessels in their feet. This further impairs the healing process as adequate blood flow is required for healing any wound. 

You could be having diabetic foot problems if you get burning, shock-like, numbness or pricking sensation in your feet. 

1. Apply heat to the feet
2. Soak the feet in water for too long
3. Cut your nails; only file them
4. Wear ill-fitting shoes
5. Walk barefoot
6. Assume that sensation and circulation is normal in your feet
7. Use strong or irrelevant medicines on your feet
8. Permit calluses or corns to develop
9. Perform ‘Bathroom Surgery’ on your feet
10. Keep your feet too moist or too dry
11. Checklist for right Shoes
12. Shoes should cover and protect feet
13. Avoid pointed, high heels shoes
14. Know your foot size
15. Go shoe shopping in the evening
16. Buy half a size larger than the proper fit
17. Break-in new shoes gradually to avoid blisters
18. Use clean, dry seamless socks/ stockings of the correct size
19. Wear comfortable footwear. Keep a separate pair of footwear for outdoor use.

Appropriate evaluation by Dr. Shubhashree Patil – having vast experience in managing diabetic foot problems and, specifically, problems within the blood vessels of your legs. She is a highly qualified Endocrinologist with specific experience in managing these problems to tailor your diabetic medication as per your requirements. 

1. Clean the wound with dilute Savlon/Dettol
2. Cover the wound with sterile gauze
3. Check your blood glucose
4. Make sure your affected foot doesn’t get wet. Use a bog of plastic to cover the foot
5. Contact your doctor immediately and/or seek a consultation with the Diabetic Foot Clinic.