Neuropathy Affecting The Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Neuropathy Affecting The Feet
Advice on Cutting Your Toenails
Symptoms of Neuropathy Affecting Your Feet and Hands
Heel Fissures
Charcot Foot
Wrong Sized Shoes
Neuropathy and Antidepressants
Diabetic Holiday Foot Syndrome
Patient and Family Carer Experience
Diabetes and Hearing Loss May be Due to Neuropathy
Gastroparesis
Neuropathy Affecting The Feet
Care of the feet is very important for people with diabetes because of the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Systematic and regular foot care has been shown to reduce ulceration and limb loss by up to 50% and almost half of all diabetes related admissions to hospital are for problems related to the leg and foot.
Prevention is always better than cure and so obviously it is important to have regular checks of your feet by health professionals and to regularly examine your feet yourself.
The golden rules for looking after your feet.
- Never go barefoot.
- Wear good fitting shoes – not tight or worn.
- Break in shoes gradually and make sure they don’t rub.
- Keep your feet dry, especially between the toes.
- If you need to use powder, use the unscented varieties.
- Use lotion to keep the skin soft so that your feet do not get dry or cracked.
- Cut your toenails straight across, not deep into the corners.
- Wash your feet daily using luke warm water.
- Do not use heating pads, hot water bottles, iodine, Epsom salts or alcohol.
- Check your feet every day and if there are any problems see your doctor or chiropodist.