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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