Diabetic Foot

A diabetic foot is a foot exhibits any pathology that results directly from diabetes mellitus or any long-term (or “chronic”) complication of diabetes mellitus (DM)

Risk indicators for the development of Diabetes Mellitus are:

• Overweight (applies to type II);
  • During pregnancy
  • Hereditary

 
Symptoms:

Foot symptoms of diabetes vary from person to person and may depend on the specific issues a person is experiencing at the time.

Symptoms may include:

• Dry feet
  • Numbness or tingling sensation
  • Slowed nail growth
  • Cold feet
  • Wounds with or without drainage
  • Dark blue or black discolorations of one or more toes
  • Blisters or other wounds without pain that are difficult to heal
  • Loss of hair on feet and legs
  • Thickened yellowish toenails, often with fungal infection
  • Skin discoloration and temperature changes

To ensure that any foot problems do not develop into complications, it is very important to examine the feet / have them inspected regularly in accordance with the Diabetic Foot Guidelines.

Therapy:

Receiving regular examinations on the feet:  by a Provoet medical pedicurist are key to preventing infections, monitoring certain nail abnormalities, removal of calluses and can ensure that many issues are prevented.