This was a fantastic session with Jonathon Thomas, clinical lead for Wye valley NHS trust. We looked at how we as foot health care practitioners can help people manage the issues that may arise. We learned many things but one of the most important things that I will take away from the session is the importance of trust and communication. If you have these between a client and a practitioner, then there is always hope for improvement in lifestyle choices and the condition of the foot.
How can diabetes cause problems with feet?
Dry skin (anhidrotic)
Diabetes can cause dry skin which can crack or split. This can get infected.
Regular daily moisturising of the feet can reduce the risk of this happening.
Change in shape of foot
The lesser toes can retract causing areas of higher pressure at the base of the toes. As the toes retract, the natural fatty pad that lies underneath these joints is displaced forward which further increases the pressure under these joints.
The additional pressure can increase the risk of ulceration especially if the person has nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness or weakness,(neuropathy).
Hard skin
Hard skin is caused by pressure and it is important to have the hard skin removed safely.
Moisturising on a daily basis can also help to reduce the build up of hard skin.
Lack of sensation (neuropathy)
Neuropathy causes a lack of sensation to the feet meaning that we are often unaware if we stand on a sharp object or if there is a break in the skin.
If you suffer from neuropathy
◦ wear shoes at all times, even around the home to protect the feet.
◦ Make sure your shoes fit well in order to reduce pressure points on the foot.
◦ Inspect your feet on a daily basis to check for any changes or breaks in the skin. This can be done by placing a mirror on the floor if you have lower mobility.
If you do have a break in the skin, it is important to make sure that it doesn’t become infected.
Summary
🦶🏼Moisturise your feet regularly.
👣Check your feet daily for signs of damage.
🦶🏼 Wear good fitting shoes.
👣 Have a good foot health routine to avoid damage to the foot.
Helen Trigg Foot Care 