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Foot check info, experiences, opinions, please

Brunneria

Brunneria

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
21,884
Location
Lincolnshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi All,

I know that foot problems are a complication that may result from diabetes.
I also know that diagnosed diabetics should get an annual foot check.

But I don't know anything else.

So I'm wondering how I should be caring for my feet? What does the foot check involve? And can I do it myself?

Thanks everyone.
 
Hi,
when mine get checked the nurse feels for the pulses , and checks all feeling in them,
basic care we should do id not walking bare footed, drying feet properly, i check mine every night for any changes and if notice a change seek medical advice
 
As totsy says they feel for the pulse and also check your feeling on the bottom of the foot for both sharp and blunt. It would be hard to do the last part alone but the pulse you can check.
 
I was also Dvised on footsear 30 years ago on my diagnosis. Never wear high heels!! Or slip ons!! Or open toed sandals.


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I've just been to a podiatrist for a foot check
the 2 important things have been said, he checked a couple of pulse spots on the foot and looked for areas that didn't register as sharp when lightly prodded with a lancet, If there are areas that don't feel sharp, you will need to wear shoes all the time
I found it worthwhile to get it checked and will again next year, if you don't have any healing problems or neuropathy, just normal care should suffice
 
I'm T2 and I advised my DN on 6th Jan that my little toe nails on both feet are going black. The assessment is on 13th May and it's miles away from my home in Lancashire. The letter states that it is purely an assessment and that no treatment will be done on that date. By the time I get to see a Podiatrist, both my little toes will have probably fallen off!
 
Brilliant info - thank you all.

Bad news about wearing shoes all the time. :wideyed:
I live in sandals from April to October, and poddle round the house in bare feet most of the time (so as not to tread on the dog's tail, feet and toys).

May have to re-think that.

I'm assuming that the pulse is connected to circulation, and therefore cold feet, capillaries and blood supply, so will bear that in mind too...

I will also start checking for numbness regularly.
Just did it, and judging by the extent of my ticklishness there is no problem, as yet!

Aguila, your poor little toes! Can you make a private appt with a chiropodist before then? Just for your peace of mind?
 
Aguila said:
I'm T2 and I advised my DN on 6th Jan that my little toe nails on both feet are going black. The assessment is on 13th May and it's miles away from my home in Lancashire. The letter states that it is purely an assessment and that no treatment will be done on that date. By the time I get to see a Podiatrist, both my little toes will have probably fallen off!
Click to expand...

Aguila . I would contact your own GP make appt and show your GP your feet/toes too .
Discuss all your concerns with him/her - explain about assessment not until middle of may .
He can refer you to a local dressings clinic or an emergency podiatry appt .
Should he feel it is needed .

I am from Lancashire and this referral service is available in my local town .
 
I was recently told by my podiatrist that I have pretty much the best diabetic feet she has seen especially after 30 years.

Having always observed their advice I can tell you its worth it.

I bought a really high pair of stilleto's for my 50th birthday as a treat..-have I worn them-NO!!!! Prefer my sensible shors...


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I wear flip flops indoors (not the rubber or plastic type) - gives the feeling of bare feet but you have something between you and the floor. I haven't given up wearing sandals in the summer (although it does depend on the weather!).
 
I am 51 yrs pretty much barefoot all the time..... inside, outside, driving, shopping, walking, horse riding and swimming and anything else life throws at me inc. l only wear crocs if l wear shoes, my one fancy pair of shoes have lasted nearly 30 years and l think l know each time l have worn them. I don't even often wear socks.
Shoes longer than a short time worn cause my feet a lot of problems as my feet are just not used to them.

My poddy was great l told her before she started to check so if she didn't like it l would leave. She told me no she didn't mind she would run all her tests, if there was a problem we would look at sorting it. She ran ultrasound, sharp and blunt checks, checked pulses and gave the feet a good looking at... probably 5xs as long as normal folks as she needed x-ray vision to get through the dirt :hilarious:

I am not allowed to do any scraping on the dead skin build up/cracks and holes... not that l do thats to much like hard work. l should get she suggested umm think flixatide? l have for several years used Scholls heel crack repair cream but l will try Flixatide soon as l think the heel repair cream has changed formula and is coming out with nozzle clogging lumps just finishing the present tube.

I have her direct line any thing l notice and am worried about ring and they will fit me straight in for a check... can not beat that service :)
 
FYI MID, Flixotide is an asthma inhaler. I think you mean Flexitol which was recommended to me by my doctor to treat hard skin on my feet.
 
:facepalm:Opps yes sorry l see it flixotide on the shelves at work all the time l knew it was something like that :hilarious:
 
My podiatrist says to use a debs diamond file for my toe nails and nightly vaseline on them. Works for me.

All my podiatrist (nhs) told me in South Wales is that I must have been really bad in my previous life and would have been given a book to choose 5 illnesses from...to learn my lessons in this life!!!



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anna29 said:
Aguila . I would contact your own GP make appt and show your GP your feet/toes too .
Discuss all your concerns with him/her - explain about assessment not until middle of may .
He can refer you to a local dressings clinic or an emergency podiatry appt .
Should he feel it is needed .

I am from Lancashire and this referral service is available in my local town .
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip. I'll be back in Ormskirk in a few days time so I'll carry on with a daily paddle in the Mediterranean until then !
:)
 
MID,

A friend of mine rhapsodises about the joys of Shea butter. Says it is even better than Scholls' cracked heel stuff. She buys it cheap, by the lump off eBay...

Wish I could go barefoot all day. Wistful sigh.
 
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