Diabetes foot care campaign launched to help reduce diabetes-related foot complications

[DCUK NewsBot]

Diabetes.co.uk has teamed up with Flexitol, a company that produces specialist foot care products, to launch a campaign to help promote the importance of diabetes foot care. The Simple Steps campaign will strive to raise awareness of how following a simple and daily routine can help prevent diabetes-related foot complications. The campaign encourages people with diabetes to follow a simple, daily foot care routine, with materials including a video, leaflet and expert recommendations. People with diabetes are more risk of foot complications because high blood glucose levels can lead to circulation damage, meaning blood cannot flow correctly to the feet. It is now thought there are about 23 lower limb amputations a day in England, but, only one in five people with diabetes check their feet on a daily basis. Donna Welch, Principal Podiatrist at City Healthcare Partnership Hull, who supports the campaign, said: "Ultimately, the implications for your feet can be serious. However, by establishing a simple daily foot care routine, understanding your level of risk, reporting concerns (e.g. breaks in the skin, blistering or ulceration) to your healthcare professional, and checking your feet regularly, you can help reduce your risk of future diabetes-related foot complications. "We also know that four out of five diabetes-related lower limb amputations are preventable." The Simple Steps campaign advises that people with diabetes should check their feet every day, looking for any changes, such as broken skin. A mirror can be useful to ensure the soles are healthy. Feet should be washed and dried well on a daily basis and then a urea-based cream, such as Flexitol, should be applied. Dry skin and calluses on the feet could be an indication that high pressure and stress is being applied to the feet and steps must be taken to prevent this - such as visiting your healthcare professional. Other signs to look out for can include pins and needles, a burning pain or dull ache, shiny, smooth skin on the feet, hair loss, swollen feet or wounds that do not heal. As well as having feet regularly checked over by a healthcare professional, it is recommended those with diabetes control their blood sugar levels, quit smoking, eat well, cut toe nails correctly and wear well-fitting shoes.

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[kitedoc]

Mirror, Mirror on the floor, how do my feet look today ??
All joking aside, I think 'foot' campaigns are very important. We need our feet to walk, balance, perform daily activity.
Some people do artistic painting with their feet, pick up (non-sharp) objects and signal.
Make caring for your feet is a worthwhile feat !!!

 

[Mr_Pot]

I assume by "cutting your toenails correctly" it means cutting them square as is usually advised. Am I the only one who has a problem with that? If I don't cut the nail in a curve to follow the shape of a toe then the corners of the nail dig into the neighbouring toes.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Just being able to reach your toes and cut them is a good start! Nail file to take off the sharp angles or pop along to a nail bar and you can sit in a massage chair and get it all done plus some pink polish yif you fancy it...

 

[Mr_Pot]

Just being able to reach your toes and cut them is a good start! Nail file to take off the sharp angles or pop along to a nail bar and you can sit in a massage chair and get it all done plus some pink polish yif you fancy it...

Nail bar! Ha Ha! I am way too old school for that, moisturiser for men seems a step too far for me.