In diabetic patients infection or gangrene of the foot is relatively common and diabetic foot care tips are essential in diabetes management. A  Diabetic foot is especially susceptible to foot lesions. The most important effect of diabetic neuropathy on the diabetic foot is the loss of sensation. The diabetic foot is vulnerable even to trivial trauma. A diabetic person can step on a tack with bare feet and feel nothing at all.

Diabetic Foot ulceration and amputation are known and feared by almost every person who is afflicted with diabetes.

Diabetic foot problem can often start in a trivial manner. For example, you may get a blister from your shoes. You will not feel the pain from the blister because you have nerve damage in your foot. Subsequently the blister gets infected. As the glucose levels in your blood are high, the extra glucose feeds the germs in the infected area. Germs grow and the infection gets worse. Poor blood flow to your legs and feet can slow down the healing process. Over a period of time the infection might cause gangrene. If a person has gangrene, the skin and tissue around the sore die. The area becomes black and smelly.

To keep gangrene from spreading, a doctor may have to do surgery to cut off a toe, foot, or part of a leg. Cutting off a body part is called an amputation

Foot related problems in diabetes can be easily prevented by taking basic precautions as below.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips

1. Do not smoke.

2. Inspect the foot daily. The use of mirror can help in seeing the bottom of the feet. Check between the toes.

3. Wash feet daily. Dry between the toes.

4. Avoid extremes of temperatures. Test water before bathing.

5. Do not soak feet in water. Avoid swimming.

6. Do not walk barefoot.

7. Do not use chemical agents or strong antiseptic solutions for removal of corns and callus.

8. Inspect the inside of shoes daily for foreign objects.

9. For dry feet use very thin coat of cream or oil. Apply after bathing and drying the feet.

10. Wear properly fitting socks.

11. Do not wear garters.

12. Footwear should be comfortable. It should have insoles constructed of a soft material to cushion and reduce forces to which the feet are subjected during walking.