Diabetic Foot Care

It’s crucial you schedule routine diabetic foot care if you have diabetes. Regular checkups can alert you to potential problems and keep your feet healthy. At Crossroads Podiatry in Newnan, Georgia, experienced podiatrist Everett J. Mason III, DPM, provides diabetic foot care to people of all ages. Dr. Mason can help keep your blood sugar in check, reducing your risk of nerve damage, diabetic ulcers, and gangrene. Call the office to request a diabetic foot care consultation or book an appointment online.

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care uses a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, prescription medication, and regular checkups to prevent diabetes-related foot problems, including nerve damage (neuropathy) and slow-healing wounds. 

Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose). If your blood glucose levels remain high for extended periods, it can negatively affect the circulation and feelings in your lower extremities. Diabetic foot care tries to prevent these and other issues from occurring.

Who can benefit from diabetic foot care?

Request diabetic foot care at Crossroads Podiatry if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Loss of hair on your legs and feet
• Skin discoloration
• Diminished ability to feel temperature changes (e.g., hot or cold)
• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling

Without intervention, diabetes increases the risk of diabetic ulcers (slow-healing, open wounds). If you have diabetes and get a cut or scrape on your foot or ankle, contact Dr. Mason immediately.

What does diabetic foot care involve?

At Crossroads Podiatry, diabetic foot care begins with a comprehensive exam.

Dr. Mason reviews your health charts and asks about your diabetes, including when you were first diagnosed, the type you have, and if you take any medications to manage it. Next, he completes a podiatry exam. 

Dr. Mason looks at your lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes for skin discoloration, hair loss, or open wounds. Then, he touches your toes and the bottoms of your feet with different tools, checking for numbness or tingling.

If you have an open wound, Dr. Mason collects a biopsy sample and sends it to a nearby lab for testing. The type of infection you have helps determine the best treatment.

How can I prevent diabetes-related foot problems?

If you have diabetes, there are various things you can do to keep your feet healthy. Dr. Mason recommends:

• Inspecting your feet and toes daily for changes
• Visiting Crossroads Podiatry at least once a year
• Keeping your toenails trimmed and filed
• Maintaining good blood flow to your feet
• Smoothing out corns or calluses
• Regularly washing your feet with warm water and unscented soap

If you have diabetes, always wear shoes and socks. Walking around in socks (or barefoot) increases your risk of an injury. 

Call Crossroads Podiatry to learn more about diabetic foot care today, or click the online booking feature.