Diabetic Foot Problems and Solutions

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin production in the body. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. High blood glucose levels, over extended periods of time, can cause damage to the nerves, blood vessels, vital organs and extremities.

How can Diabetes affect the feet?

People with diabetes have an increased likelihood of developing a variety of foot conditions. Even seemingly ordinary problems can worsen and lead to serious complications.

Diabetes reduces the effectiveness of the immune system, diminishing the body's natural ability to fight infection. When diabetes is not well controlled, damage to the organs and impairment of the immune system is possible.

Foot problems often occur when there is nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, which results in loss of feeling and sensation in your feet.

Although it can often be quite painful, diabetic neuropathy can lessen your ability to feel sensations such as pain, heat, and cold. This loss of feeling can often prevent you from feeling a foot injury. You might not notice an injury, such as a cut or blister, until the skin breaks down and becomes infected.

Diabetes can also affect the blood vessels of the feet, causing them to narrow and harden. This condition, known as diabetic vasculopathy, reduces the amount of blood flow to the feet. With reduced blood flow, feet may be deprived of the oxygen and nutrients necessary to help heal and fight infection.

Nerve damage and poor circulation can also lead to changes in the shape of your feet and toes.

Common Problems

Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers most commonly occur on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers on the sides of the foot are often due to poorly fitting shoes.

Even a seemingly minor, non-painful ulcer should be inspected by a health care specialist. Neglecting ulcers can result in serious infections, which could ultimately result in amputation of the affected limb.

Keeping off your feet is especially important. Walking on an ulcer may irritate the wound, causing it to open larger and inhibit the healing process. A special shoe, brace, or cast may be required.

Nail and Foot Fungus

Diabetes increases the risk of many complications, including skin disorders and infections. Among these are fungal infections such as yeast infections, oral thrush and nail fungus.

Nail fungus, commonly regarded as an unattractive nuisance, can lead to severe complications in people with diabetes. If left untreated, nail fungus can progress to skin and bone infections or even tissue death- leading to a loss of mobility or even amputation.

It is estimated that about one-third of people with diabetes have a significant nail fungus infection.

Dr. Roth suggests the use of the Foot Fixer Kit to help resolve and prevent fungus problems associated with diabetes.

Calluses/Corns

Calluses are thickened areas of dead skin, which typically form on the bottom or sides of the feet. They are caused by excessive, prolonged pressure and friction within the shoe.

Calluses often occur more frequently and accumulate faster on the feet of diabetics. When neuropathy is present, you can't tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses.

Thick calluses may crack, or bleed and can often progress to ulceration and infection of the foot.

Dr. Roth recommends TABS arch supports to help cushion, support and protect areas of the foot sensitive to excessive callus formation.

Dry/cracked skin

Diabetes can cause changes to the condition of the skin on your foot. Your skin may become dry, and begin to peel and crack.

Dry skin is generally caused by damage to the nerves of the foot that control the release ofnatural oils and moisture of the skin.

Dr. Roth recommends the use of the Foot Fixer Kit to help relieve skin irritation due to dry, cracked skin.

Dr. Roth's Foot Balm and Nail & Foot Gel are specifically formulated to sooth and protect feet from painful microtears of the skin caused by a lack of natural oil production.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes are a deformity of the foot that involves tightening of the tendons in affected toes and, most often occurs in the second, third or fourth toe.

Neuropathy can cause muscle weakness and loss of tone in the feet, resulting in hammertoes. Special, therapeutic shoes may be necessary, rather than forcing misshapen feet and toes into regular, ill-fitting shoes.

Charcot foot

Charcot foot is a progressive, degenerative condition caused by the weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have substantial nerve damage.

When neuropathy is present, the bones in the foot become weakened and are increasingly prone to fracture. Due to the nerve damage, the pain goes unnoticed and the person continues to walk on the fractured bone. This can lead to severe deformities of the foot.

Charcot foot is a very serious condition that can lead to severe impairment, deformity and even amputation.

Dr. Roth recommends the use of FABS or MAGFABS to help relieve pain associated with Charcot foot.

Prevention

Meticulous attention to foot care and proper management of minor foot injuries are key to preventing diabetic foot complications.

Gentle cleansing with Dr. Roth's Foaming Foot Wash, followed by the application of topical moisturizers such as Dr. Roth's Foot Balm, can help to maintain healthy skin that can better resist breakdown and injury.

Dr. Roth's Foot Fixer Kit is specifically formulated to aid in the prevention and management of many common diabetic foot conditions.

Foot Care Tips

Carefully inspect your feet daily. Check for any cuts, blisters, cracks, redness, or swelling.

Wash your feet everyday.

Keep feet dry; especially the area between the toes.

Consult your doctor if you exhibit any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, fever, or chills.

External Links

• American Diabetes Association
• World Health Organization - Fact Sheet on Diabetes