How To Treat Diabetic Foot At Home
Complications caused by hyperglycemia can reduce blood flow to the lower extremities. Therefore, the nerves and arteries in the legs can be damaged. Problems can develop gradually, especially if you do not regulate your blood sugar. Therefore, it is very important to know how to treat diabetic foot.
In the absence of proper care, the area of the feet becomes very sensitive, which increases the risk of ulcers, cracks and other injuries that can cause severe infections.
So how do you treat a diabetic foot to prevent complications? Find out the answer in the lines below.
What is a diabetic foot?
Hyperglycemia causes many complications in the body. One of the most common is the diabetic foot.
In both cases, there are symptoms that affect the patient’s quality of life. It can largely lose its sensitivity in the legs and risks developing lesions that are very difficult to heal.
Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the condition. However, it is important to treat the diabetic foot to prevent the problem from getting worse.
If left untreated, the diabetic foot can cause ulcers and infections. If they cannot be kept under control, the only solution is to amputate the foot.
How to treat diabetic foot at home
According to data provided by the World Health Organization, in more than 80% of cases, amputation due to diabetic foot can be prevented with basic treatment and care.
It is essential to do everything possible to prevent foot injuries. Eventually, wounds are difficult to heal and can lead to the development of infections.
Care measures should be permanent because, even if there are no visible lesions or symptoms, the risk of them occurring is high.
Check your feet every day
First of all, if you check your feet every day, you can detect any anomaly that requires special treatment. Therefore, even if there is no visible problem, you need to take care of your feet properly.
Pay special attention to the following symptoms:
- Wounds or ulcers
- Blisters or cracks
- Wounds or deformities
- Bruises or swollen veins
Wash and disinfect your feet
One of the main measures to reduce the risk of infections is to wash your feet every day with disinfectants.
By washing and disinfecting, you eliminate bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. As you can see, they can cause more problems if a lesion develops.
Avoid smoking
Smoking can narrow the arteries. Therefore, diabetics should avoid this harmful habit.
Toxins in cigarettes reduce the supply of oxygen to the feet. In addition, they create complications due to compromised blood circulation.
Use moisturizers
How to treat diabetic foot at home? In addition to the above recommendations, it is good to use moisturizers that protect the skin.
Daily application of a moisturizer or lotion helps prevent warts and cracks in the skin, reducing the risk of infection.
Cut your nails
The nails of patients with diabetes should be cut “square” to avoid their growth in the flesh. You must be careful not to damage the corners of your nails or cuticles.
Wear comfortable shoes
When it comes to how to treat a diabetic foot, footwear plays an important role. Wearing comfortable shoes can prevent inflammation and infections.
In general, it would be ideal for shoes to have a soft material inside. There should be no protruding parts for the skin to breathe.
Avoid high-impact physical activities
Daily exercise helps regulate blood sugar in patients with diabetes. However, it is important that the chosen activities do not have a high impact on the feet.
To prevent bruising or injury, opt for activities such as:
- Swimming
- Riding a bike
- Yoga
- Pilates
In conclusion, if you have hyperglycemia, it is essential to know how to treat diabetic foot. All measures taken, along with regular visits to the doctor, help prevent complications.
