Did you know that over 29 million people in the United States have diabetes? It’s a serious disease, that affects many areas of your body, especially your feet. Maintaining healthy feet is critical when you have diabetes. Your podiatrist can help. Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel at Emerald Coast Podiatry offer comprehensive foot and ankle services, including diabetic foot care. He has two convenient office locations in Fort Walton Beach, and Crestview, FL.
What You Need to Know About Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes affects your major body systems, which affects your feet. Consider that diabetes causes:
- Immune system problems, which means a small cut or blister can easily become infected
- Nervous system problems, which means you can lose sensation in your feet, or suffer painful neuropathy
- Circulatory system problems, which means you can lose blood flow to your feet, resulting in death of soft tissue and amputations
So, what can you do about it? Daily care of your feet is essential. You need to:
- Stretch your feet, ankles, and toes every day
- Wash and dry your feet every day and apply moisturizing lotion
- Examine your feet every day, looking for sores, blisters, and other injuries
- Clean and bandage any cuts, blisters, or sores
- Avoid going barefoot by always wearing socks and shoes, especially if you are active
You should also visit your podiatrist regularly for a comprehensive foot examination. Regular visits with your foot expert can help identify foot problems early, so they can be treated. When you have diabetes, preventive treatment is critical to maintaining healthy feet.
Want To Know More About Diabetic Foot Care?
To find out more about diabetic foot care, and how your podiatrist can help when you have diabetes, call Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel at Emerald Coast Podiatry. You can reach him in the Fort Walton Beach, FL, office by calling (850) 862-4119, or in Crestview, FL, by calling (850) 682-6522, so call today.