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Wednesday 4 July 2018

Look After Your Feet : Diabetic Foot




I saw this article on Diabetes Diet Blog, and thought it worth sharing …

'Summarised from BMJ Clinical Update Diabetic Foot

by Mishra et al Mumbai and London 18 Nov 17'

"Foot disease troubles 6% of people who have diabetes and includes infection, ulceration or destruction of tissues of the foot. It can affect both social life and work. Up to 1.5% of diabetic people will end up with an amputation. Good foot care, screening and early treatment of ulceration is hoped to prevent a foot problem developing into a need for amputation. This article gives an update on the prevention and initial management of the diabetic foot that can be expected from primary care.

A combination of poor blood sugar control, foot neglect, lack of appropriate footwear, insufficient patient education and failure to find and treat pre-ulcerative lesions cause increasing foot damage and worsens the outlook. Nerve and blood vessel damage make damage more likely to go unnoticed and more difficult to heal.

A careful examination of the feet by the patient or carer every day is a good idea. A careful examination by health professionals also detects problems early. Fungal infections, cracks and skin fissures, deformed nails, macerated web spaces, callouses, and deformities such as hammer toes, claw toes, and pes cavus increase the risk of ulceration. Cold feet can suggest poor blood supply and warm feet can be an indicator of infection.

Monofilaments are often used to detect neuropathy at annual assessments. Pain after walking a certain distance and pain at rest suggest peripheral arterial disease.

Assessments every three to six months is needed for medium risk feet and every one or two months for high risk feet.

As neuropathy is difficult to reverse once established, prevention is key. Optimal glycaemic control is extremely important. Smoking cessation, maintaining a normal weight and continued exercise help the circulatory system. Patients also know how to check their feet and who to get help from if they find problems. New shoes should be worn in gradually to prevent blisters.

Health care professionals need to send urgent cases to a specialised diabetic foot centre if at all possible. Such cases would include foot ulceration with fever or any signs of sepsis, ulceration with limb ischaemia, gangrene, or suspected deep seated soft tissue or bone infection.

Ulcers are best washed in clean water or saline with a moist gauze dressing. Anti-microbial agents can be cytotoxic and can affect wound healing. Weight bearing on the area needs to be avoided. Tissue will be taken for bacterial culture and antibiotics prescribed due to local policies.

Referral within a day or two is needed for rest pain, an uncomplicated ulcer or an acute Charcot foot. (suspected fracture due to neuropathy).

Patients with rest pain and intermittent claudication need vascular referral.

Here are the top tips for patients:
Inspect your feet daily including between the toes and if you can’t do it yourself get someone else to do so

wash your feet in warm but not hot water daily and dry carefully especially between the toes

use oil or cream on dry feet but not between the toes

cut nails straight across and if necessary go to a podiatrist for this

Don’t do home treatments for corns and callouses

Check your shoes for objects or rough areas inside them and wear socks with them

avoid walking barefoot

get your feet examined regularly by a health care professional

notify the appropriate health care professional if you develop a blister, cut, scratch or sore on your feet"

Diabetes Diet Blog is written by Emma Baird, who is a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed over 32 years ago…), she is a writer with a keen interest in health, and Dr Katharine Morrison, a senior practising GP and a senior partner in a medical practice in Ayrshire. Her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 10 years ago, and since then she has worked extensively with diabetics (both type 1 and type 2) to help them to achieve good blood sugar control – a vital component in good health and longevity.

It is especially important for diabetics to look after their feet ... but for those of us who are not diabetic - feet are important, they are well worth looking after …

All the best Jan

19 comments:

William Kendall said...

My mother had to regularly pay attention to that with her feet.

Anonymous said...

great informative post!!

Anonymous said...

Makes good sense for all to look after their feet.

Tina

DUTA said...

Even if one is not diabetic, foot care is of extreme importance. Nail or toe issues can cause trouble if not dealt with it on time. In old age one depends on a pedicurist; sometimes the place is not sterile enough and people get infections. I usually soak my feet in warm water to which I add a teaspoon of vinegar.

Christine said...

Thanks for this informative and important post!

Sandra Cox said...

VERY helpful article. Thanks for sharing.

Margaret D said...

People often neglect their feet for some reason..but it's not a good thing to do that.

Valerie-Jael said...

This is important, and not just for diabetic. Hugs, Valerie

Elephant's Child said...

Important advice - and as Duta says, for us all.

Cheryl said...

So important.
My Father was diabetic. He passed away five years ago from a chest infection.
He controlled his diabetes so well and took great care of his feet.
I remember taking him to the diabetic clinic for a health check. The nurse looked at his feet and said Well done Jim, lovely feet.
I was so proud of him. He set me a fine example in life. To always take care of oneself and do the very best we can to stay healthy.

Thank you Jan.

NatureFootstep said...

great info for those who need it. :)

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Um artigo muito interessante sobre os pés diabéticos.
Um abraço e continuação de boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros

Teresa said...

Muy buen reportaje. Gracias y besos.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderfully informative post about care the feet ~

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Snowbird said...

Goodness, who knew? Great advice!xxx

Out on the prairie said...

A friend fighting this just lost his foot. Sad to think of him playin sports with me, but he remains happy to be healthy.

Magic Love Crow said...

Great post Jan! Thank you!

Sinta Wiranata said...

Your article is great. I also agree with you that keeping the skin is very important. Thank you for sharing useful tips also for me as well as other readers.

Nervexol said...

Great post. It takes me almost half an hour to read the whole post. Definitely this one of the informative and useful post to me. Thanks for the share.