Diabetic Foot Care

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is a podiatry subspecialty that treats diabetes-related foot issues, like slow-healing wounds, diabetic ulcers, and infections. 

Diabetes causes your blood sugar levels to remain high for months or even years. Without treatment, high blood sugar causes poor circulation in your legs and feet, increasing the risk of nerve damage.

Routine visits to Elite Wound Care for diabetic checkups can reduce the risk of these and other issues, ensuring your feet remain healthy.

Who can benefit from diabetic foot care?

Consider diabetic foot care at Elite Wound Care if you have:

• Nerve damage
• Poor circulation in your feet
• Difficulty managing diabetes
• Weight issues

You might also benefit from diabetic foot care if you have associated medical issues, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes-related foot conditions?

The symptoms of diabetes-related foot conditions include:

• Darkened skin on your legs or feet
• Loss of hair
• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Changes to your toenails
• Blisters, cuts, calluses, or sores

If you have diabetes, you might also experience frequent nail issues, like toenail fungus or an ingrown toenail.

What happens during a diabetic foot care visit?

At Elite Wound Care, Dr. Rash provides diabetic foot care on-site. He reviews your medical records and asks about your diabetes, including when you were diagnosed and how often you check your blood sugar. Next, Dr. Rash examines your feet, toes, and toenails. He also uses special tools to test your reflexes and the nerve sensations in your feet. 

If you have a diabetic ulcer or another slow-healing wound, Dr. Rash looks for signs of infection, like discoloration or discharge. He might also order X-rays to determine how deep the infection goes and take a biopsy.

What does diabetic foot care involve?

At Elite Wound Care, Dr. Rash tailors diabetic foot care to each individual’s needs. After a review of your medical history and an exam, Dr. Rash might recommend:

• Cleaning the wound
• Draining fluid or pus from the ulcer
• Removing or cutting away dead or infected tissue (wound debridement)
• Applying special bandages or ointments
• Using a wheelchair or crutches
• Prescribing antibiotics to eliminate the infection

The goal of diabetic foot care is to keep your blood sugar at normal levels and reduce the risk of complications. 

To learn more about the benefits of diabetic foot care, make an appointment at Elite Wound Care by calling the office or booking online today.