If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably already know you need to see a podiatrist near you to be part of your preventative care & treatment team. You may only need to see him or her once or twice a year, but by having your feet examined by a trained foot specialist you can help to prevent the foot complications diabetes can cause.

What You Should Do

As a diabetic, understanding what you need to do as part of a daily routine is important. The first appointment you have with your Michigan podiatrist will largely be an educational one for you as your doctor will review basic foot care routines.

As a diabetic you should:

1. Carefully wash your feet each day, drying the feet completely and then following up with a recommended foot cream or moisturizer. This is particularly important in diabetic foot care if you have dry and cracked feet and heels.

2. Look for any signs of cuts, blisters, abrasions, red patches or sores on the bottoms, sides and top of your feet as you are washing and moisturizing. It may be easier to use a mirror to examine the bottom of your feet.

3. Watch for signs of calluses, which can develop very quickly. This is a sign of improperly fitting shoes, and these calluses can also turn into the more serious diabetic ulcers on your feet.

4. If you see signs of calluses or diabetic ulcers, immediately contact your Michigan podiatrist for an appointment. He or she can prescribe effective treatment for the ulcer and also fit you for therapeutic shoes that won’t contribute to the irritation.

5. Trim your toenails as needed with a straight cut across the top. Never arch or round your toenails as this will contribute to needing treatment for ingrown toenails.

It is important to realize just how serious diabetic ulcers are when it comes to your overall health. If left untreated, and if you have neuropathy and poor circulation, they can very quickly become much larger and more damaging.

With lesions present, these ulcers can result in deep and significant infections that can lead to amputations. With treatment from your Michigan podiatrist at the early stages these problems can be avoided.