Common Foot Problems with Diabetic Feet
Anyone can have corns, blisters, and athlete's foot. If you have Diabetes and your blood sugar stays high, these common foot problems can lead to serious foot problems:
- Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin caused by too much pressure on the same area of the foot. Often found on the bottom (balls) of the feet. Corns Video Link
- Blisters can form from excessive friction (very common for runners). Wearing shoes that do not fit or wearing shoes without socks can cause blisters. Blisters can become infected, diabetics beware.
- Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of the nail grows into the skin. Ingrown toenails can also be caused by cutting into the corners of your toenails when trimmed. If toenail edges are sharp, smooth them with an emery board (if you are diabetic, see your podiatrist). You can also get an ingrown toenail if your shoes are too tight. These are very dangerous for diabetics. If you suspect an ingrowing toenail see your podiatrist asap. The area will be painful and often becomes red and infected. Ingrowing Toenails Video Link
- A bunion forms when your big toe slants toward the small toes and the place between the bones near the base of your big toe grows big with excess bone. This area can get red, sore, and swollen. Diabetics must be very careful, these areas can have excess friction, breaking the skin causing infection. Bunions can form on one or both feet. Pointy shoes may contribute to bunions. Bunions often run in the family. Surgery is usually in the treatment plan. Bunions Video Link
"Ouch!!"
- Plantar warts are caused by a virus. Very common. The warts usually form on the bottoms of the feet. Can be painful, and should be treated quickly as they can often spread. This video link will better explain Plantar Warts Video Link
- Hammertoes often form when certain foot tendons become weak causing the toes to contract. The weakness may be from diabetic nerve damage, tension, pressure, injury, over activity, shoes etc... Weakened muscles make the tendons in the foot shorter and then the toes curl under the feet. You may get sores on the bottoms of your feet and on the tops of your toes. Hammertoes can cause problems with walking and finding shoes that fit well. Yes, they can run in the family! Hammertoe Video
- Dry and cracked skin can happen because the nerves in your legs and feet do not get the message to keep your skin soft and moist (autonomic neuropathy). Dry skin can become cracked and allow germs to enter. High blood sugar can feed the germs and make the infection worse. Soy, Aloe & Vitamin E cream will help to prevent dangerous cracks in the skin.
- Athlete's foot is a fungus that typically causes redness, cracking, and itchiness of the skin. The cracks between the toes allow germs to get under the skin. Fungus infection can spread to the toenails and make them thick, yellow, brittle and hard to cut (see your foot doctor!!). (click here, skin and toenail anti-fungal treatment)
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