Diabetic foot....?

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what causes necrosis , sensation loss , numbness of foot in diabetes ...
Inspect your feet every day, and seek care early if you do get a foot injury. Make sure your health care provider checks your feet at least once a year - more often if you have foot problems. Your health care provider should also give you a list and explain the do's and don'ts of foot care. Most people can prevent any serious foot problem by following some simple steps. So let's begin taking care of your feet today.

Prevention
Your health care provider should perform a complete foot exam at least annually - more often if you have foot problems.

Remember to take off your socks and shoes while you wait for your physical examination.

Call or see your health care provider if you have cuts or breaks in the skin, or have an ingrown nail. Also, tell your health care provider if your foot changes color, shape, or just feels different (for example, becomes less sensitive or hurts).

If you have corns or calluses, your health care provider can trim them for you. Your health care provider can also trim your toenails if you cannot do so safely.

Because people with diabetes are more prone to foot problems, a foot care specialist may be on your health care team.

Caring for Your Feet
There are many things you can do to keep your feet healthy.

Take care of your diabetes. Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in your target range.

Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.

Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.

Ask your doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes.

Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.

Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.

If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.

Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.

Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, two (2) or three (3) times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time. Don't smoke.

Get started now. Begin taking good care of your feet today. Set a time every day to check your feet.  (+ info)

Any tips for someone with diabetic foot who will go on a long flight?

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My dad has a diabetic foot (no ulcers only discoloration) and will go on a long flight around 13 hrs. I'm worried that his foot might swell during the long flight.
Reducing diabetic foot complications is a struggle every diabetic must face in time. Symptoms can vary but the first sign is an elevated temperature in the foot itself. An elevated A1C is a definite predictor of complications are on there way. The higher your A1C the greater the risk as A1C is the indicator over time if your levels are high. Daily tests only indicate that day or particular time what your blood glucose level is and how to correct it. Foot lesions or ulcers can become infected easily and will need antibiotic therapy if they do.

Daily Foot Care Hints

Inspect your feet daily or have someone do it for you. Any signs of redness, trauma, skin color change, cracking should be noted and passed on to your diabetes management team. Using a mirror on a handle or the floor will aid in inspecting all parts of the foot.

Clips your nails on a weekly basis and clip nails straight across making sure to smooth out all rough edges.

Keep your foot skin well hydrated with a good cream or petroleum jelly made for diabetic foot care.

When calluses, corns or toe nails become a problem, always consult your doctor or a podiatrist.

Always wear shoes or protective slippers on your feet. Even a simple sock will help prevent injury to the foot due to diabetes.

Insure your shoes are the right fit and if possible have custom inserts done. This may require special diabetic shoes that have more space inside and are manufactured to not have seams on the inside that may rub and cause blisters.

Always have your feet checked at your regular visit to your doctor.

Remember your feet are at risk when your a diabetic and you should be sensible. Wear shoes that are comfortable, no high heals or pointy tipped shoes for you ladies. These are common causes of pain and injury which as a diabetic you cannot afford. Pick shoes with good heel & arch support with a high dome for your toes.

Wear absorbent socks when you take part in activities that make you sweat. Staying in shape is a important factor when you have diabetes. If your in shape you will have an overall easier time managing your blood glucose levels which in turn will make you less symptomatic as a diabetic.

Being overweight is hard on your heart, back and every other part of your body, shed those excess pounds and get proper nutrition. All of these tips are important ways of dealing with diabetic foot pain in the journey.

For more on diabetic foot visit my site
http://www.reddiabetes.com  (+ info)

Can someone develop diabetic foot while only being insulin resistant?

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I was recently diagnosed as insulin resistant. My leg and tips of my toes are somewhat numb. I have shown NO signs of impaired healing but I'm worried that I will get diabetic foot. Today I developed a minor sore in between my toes and I'm freaked out about it.
I don't have the answer to your main question, but I do have some information that may help you.

Keep in mind that peripheral neuropathy can be caused by things other than diabetes. It can be caused by a lack of B vitamins. It can be caused by heavy metals in your system (have you ever worked with electronics?) It can also be caused by a pinched nerve in your back. Here's an interesting fact ... did you know carpal tunnel is a form of peripheral neuropathy? That one only happens in your arms of course.

So what you need to do is go to your regular doctor so he can do a series of tests. He can take some blood and rule out the heavy metals or the B Vitamin deficiency. Start taking a B complex vitamin now. Don't worry if you're taking too much, you can't overdose on it. If your body has too much it gets rid of the excess through your urine. If that's your problem it will take a couple of months for your neuropathy to go away so it's better to start right away. And if that not your problem it will probably do you good anyway.  (+ info)

How serious is a cut with stitches on a foot for a diabetic person?

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My father is a diabetic, who cut is big toe and ended up with 4 stitches. He has had a course of strong oral antibiotics for 10 days. After the first 10 days of these oral antibiotics his wound was still infected. So his doctor gave him an antibiotic shot and 10 more days of oral antibiotics. Three weeks later the wound is getting dry to where the skin is peeling but now his entire foot upto his ankle is completely swollen, red and warm and still has pus on it.
He needs to see the doctor again. It sounds like a serious infection.

It is much more serious in a person who is diabetic than a normal healthy individual, as the blood flow to the feet and ankles is frequently reduced.  (+ info)

What is a priorty for a patient who is diabetic? has cellulitis of left foot?

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Pt is a 41 year old male , that was admitted for cellulitis of left foot, and complains of nause and vomiting , chills and fever.
should # 1 nursing diagnosis be Deficient fluid volume ( dehydration), as he is put on IV in both arms, or shoudl should the diagnosis be FEVER first. please help along with rational.
This is not a homework forum.  (+ info)

where can i buy orthopedic scotchcast soft casting tape for diabetic foot?

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i need to buy an orthopedic casting tape/scotch cast tape/soft cast tape for someone with diabetes for his foot. i'd like to know where can i find such products (online) in the uk?
Talk to his diabetic nurse specialist or his practice nurse. they should be able to prescribe or arrange for a doctor to prescribe what is needed - they're the experts so leave it to them.  (+ info)

What's the best bandage for a diabetic foot?

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if someone has diabetes and has an ulcer on their foot.. what is the best kind of bandage for this. also how much do they cost?
See your GP
See your podiatrist to make an insole that REMOVES pressure from the site
Possibly see the stoma nurse at the local hospital
Often, a paste containing silver is effective but it depends on the amount of fluid (suppuration) the wound is putting out.  (+ info)

Can an in control type 1 diabetic get a tattoo on their foot?

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I'm 18 years old and have been diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes for 5 months now. I exercise daily and my BG's are in control. I am turning 19 in a couple of weeks and me and my sisters would like to get matching tattoo's on our feet (because it's easy to hide if needed and the skin doesn't stretch so much there). I was just wondering if any other diabetics have tattoo's on their feet and if it has caused any problems.
I'm a RN and was a Diabetes Nurse Educator at a large local hospital. I always am completely amazed by some of the medical questions I come across I taught Nursing students for a number of years and their questions always kept me challenged too. The good news is that you have your brain working well for you, anticipate that this tattoo proposal may not be in your best interest (It isn't), and have the intellectual fortitude and wisdom to ask the question before acting impulsively on your sibling plan. First of all I want to commend you on your initial response (5 months) to managing your type 1 Diabetes but you are just beginning your very lengthy and challenging journey and the choices you make now will likely affect you and your medical condition for the remainder of your life. You do not say if you are under the care of a Diabetologist, what your last Hgb A1-C was, what your specific blood levels were, what type and doses of Insulin you are presently taking, etc. This information is of course particularly of interest to me because of my history of teaching Diabetes particularly to teenagers just your age. At any rate, any Diabetes RN or Diabatologist with atleast one neuron still firing in their brain would tell you that feet, ankles, and calves are totally no man's land as far as type1 diabetics go which means that they should never be touched by a tattoo artist. I just couldn't approve of a tattoo for you anywhere at this point because of the potential dangers of infection,etc. I'm pleased that you seem to have a great relationship with your sisters and want to do something together to celebrate your 19th birthday. I'm all for that. Is it possible for you and your sisters to do something together that relates to exercise which I do approve of? What comes to mind is going off for a few hours to play paint ball games or perhaps rent scooters or ATV's There must be some activities that all of you would enjoy if you all put your minds together. What about going bowling followed by eating out. Would you consider driving to a nearby town and checking out the mall to buy some music, followed by eating out at one of your favorite hangouts. These are just a few ideas that some of the teens I worked with chose to do. Keep up your daily exercising as it has a tremendous positive effect on your Diabetes management. I hope that you have a wonderful 19th birthday and that your Diabetes control remains in such good shape. Good luck to you.  (+ info)

If an MRI shows infection in the bone of a foot of a diabetic, can they recover without losing their foot?

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This is a 80+ year old man with a skin infection for 2 weeks who has been on antibiotics for a few days, the sore appears better already but an MRI shows bone infection. I thought once it was in the bone it had to be amputated. Thanks for any insight.
It doesn't HAVE to be amputated...in fact, the doctors will likely try to do everything in their power to prevent it - even in an elderly person.

The thing is, they will not WAIT long for the patient to respond to the antibiotics before they resort to that option, mostly because of the diabetes.

There comes a time when one must weigh the odds of losing limb vs. losing life, a decision the patient must make when the doctors advise those are the only options.

ADDED:

http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/body.cfm?id=2944

Here is a link to a simple website that talks about ways bone infections can be treated using minimally invasive cleansing treatments, as well as other treatments such as antibotics, etc.

Hope this helps.  (+ info)

diabetic with mrsa in foot stage four what are the chances of survival?

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all iv traetments have failed. what is the next treatment available for me?
sorry to say but amputation is a likely course of action-my dad had the same thing and the infection was into the bone so the IV drugs couldn't get rid of it. I spoke to his consultant about treatment options and there weren't any others-he's now free of MRSA, has a false lower leg and is just as mobile as before-i was amazed at how quickly he adapted. good luck and speak to your consultant about what options are available for you-it may just be in a small part of your foot which they could remove.  (+ info)

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