Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime

Transcription

1 ENGLISH Take Care of Yor Feet for a Lifetime A booklet for people with diabetes

2 Do yo want to lower yor chances of getting foot problems that can lead to the loss of a toe, foot, or leg? This booklet tells yo how. It s all abot taking care of yor feet. Even if yo have had diabetes for a long time, this booklet can help yo learn more. Use it to help yo make yor own plan for taking care of yor feet. Share yor plan with yor doctor and health care team and get their help when yo need it. REMINDER Call yor doctor right away if a ct, blister, or brise on yor foot does not begin to heal after a few days.

3 Why is foot care important? Over time, diabetes can case yo to lose feeling in yor feet. When yo lose feeling in yor feet, yo may not feel a pebble inside yor sock or a blister on yor foot, which can lead to cts and sores. Diabetes also can lower the amont of blood flow in yor feet. Nmbness and less blood flow in the feet can lead to foot problems. Foot care is very important for all people with diabetes, bt even more so if yo have: pain or loss of feeling in yor feet (nmbness, tingling) changes in the shape of yor feet or toes sores, cts, or lcers on yor feet that do not heal If yo take care of yor feet every day, yo can lower yor chances of losing a toe, foot, or leg. Managing yor blood sgar can also help keep yor feet healthy. Work with yor health care team to make a diabetes plan that fits yor lifestyle and incldes foot care. The team may inclde yor doctor, a diabetes edcator, a nrse, a foot doctor (podiatrist) and other specialists who can help yo manage yor diabetes. 1

4 1 Check yor feet every day. Check yor feet for cts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Yo may have foot problems, bt feel no pain in yor feet. Check yor feet each evening when yo take off yor shoes. If yo have troble bending over to see yor feet, se a mirror to help. Yo can also ask a family member or caregiver to help yo. Check yor feet every day. 2

5 2 3 Wash yor feet every day. Wash yor feet in warm, not hot, water. Do not soak yor feet becase yor skin will get dry. Before bathing or showering, test the water to make sre it is not too hot. Yo can se a thermometer (90 to 95 F is safe) or yor elbow to test the water. Use talcm powder or cornstarch to keep the skin between yor toes dry to prevent infection. Keep the skin soft and smooth. Rb a thin coat of lotion, cream, or petrolem jelly on the tops and bottoms of yor feet. Do not pt lotion or cream between yor toes becase this might case an infection. Pt lotion on the tops and bottoms of yor feet. 3

6 4 Smooth corns and callses gently. Thick patches of skin called corns or callses can grow on the feet. If yo have corns or callses, check with yor foot doctor abot the best way to care for them. If yor doctor tells yo to, se a pmice stone to smooth corns and callses after bathing or showering. A pmice stone is a type of rock sed to smooth the skin. Rb gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin. Do not ct corns and callses. Do not se razor blades, corn plasters, or liqid corn and calls removers they can damage yor skin and case an infection. Gently rb callses with a pmice stone. 4

7 5 If yo can see, reach, and feel yor feet, trim yor toenails reglarly. Trim yor toenails with nail clippers after yo wash and dry yor feet. Trim yor toenails straight across and smooth the corners with an emery board or nail file. This prevents the nails from growing into the skin. Do not ct into the corners of the toenail. Have a foot doctor trim yor toenails if: w w w w yo cannot see or feel yor feet yo cannot reach yor feet yor toenails are thick or yellowed yor nails crve and grow into the skin Trim yor toenails straight across and smooth the corners with a nail file. 5

8 6 Wear shoes and socks at all times. Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot when indoors or otside. It is easy to step on something and hrt yor feet. Yo may not feel any pain and not know that yo hrt yorself. Make sre yo wear socks, stockings, or nylons with yor shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores. Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks that have no seams are best. Check inside yor shoes before yo pt them on. Make sre the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in yor shoes. Wear shoes that fit well and protect yor feet. Check the inside of yor shoes before yo pt them on. 6

9 7 Protect yor feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement. Yo may brn yor feet and may not know it. Pt snscreen on the top of yor feet to prevent snbrn. Keep yor feet away from heaters and open fires. Do not pt hot water bottles or heating pads on yor feet. Wear socks at night if yor feet get cold. Wear lined boots in the winter to keep yor feet warm. Protect yor feet when walking on hot srfaces. 7

10 8 Keep the blood flowing to yor feet. Pt yor feet p when yo are sitting. Wiggle yor toes for 5 mintes, 2 or 3 times a day. Move yor ankles p and down and in and ot to help blood flow in yor feet and legs. Do not cross yor legs for long periods of time. Do not wear tight socks, elastic, or rbber bands arond yor legs. Do not smoke. Smoking can lower the amont of blood flow to yor feet. Ask for help to stop smoking. Call QUITNOW ( ). Pt yor feet p when yo are sitting. 8

11 9 Be more active. Being active improves blood flow to the feet. Ask yor health care team for safe ways to be more active each day. Move more by walking, dancing, swimming, or going bike riding. If yo are not very active, start slowly. Find safe places to be active. Wear athletic shoes that give spport and are made for yor activity. Bike riding is good exercise. 9

12 10 Be sre to ask yor health care team to: check yor feet at every visit check the sense of feeling and plses in yor feet at least once a year show yo how to care for yor feet refer yo to a foot doctor if needed tell yo if special shoes wold help protect yor feet Ask yor doctor to check yor feet at every visit. I REM NDER Ct ot the foot care tip sheet in this booklet and pt it on yor bathroom or bedroom wall or yor nightstand to remind yo to take care of yor feet. Complete the To Do List at the back of this booklet. 10

13 11 Take care of yor diabetes. Work with yor health care team to make a plan to manage yor diabetes. Ask yor health care team to help yo set and reach goals for managing yor blood sgar, blood pressre, and cholesterol. Ask yor team to help yo choose safe ways to be more active each day and choose healthy foods to eat. Tips for Choosing the Right Footwear Wearing the right type of shoes is important for keeping yor feet healthy. Walking shoes and athletic shoes are good for daily wear. They spport yor feet and allow them to breathe. Never wear vinyl or plastic shoes, becase they do not stretch or breathe. When bying shoes, make sre they feel good and have enogh room for yor toes. Do not wear shoes with pointed toes or high heels often. They pt too mch pressre on yor toes. By shoes at the end of the day when yor feet are the largest so that yo can find the best fit. 11

14 Medicare and other insrance for special footwear: Yo may need special shoes or shoe inserts to spport yor feet. Medicare Part B insrance may cover some of the cost of special shoes or inserts. Ask yor doctor if yor insrance plan will pay for: Depth shoes or inserts. Depth shoes look like walking shoes, bt have more room in them. The extra room is for different shaped feet and toes, or for inserts made to fit yor feet. Cstom molded shoes with inserts. Ask yor doctor or foot doctor how yo can get this special footwear. Things to remember: Set a time every day to check yor feet. Wear socks and shoes at all times. Write down the date of yor next visit to the doctor. Go to all of yor appointments and ask any qestions that yo have. Set a date for getting the things yo need to take care of yor feet: nail clippers, pmice stone, emery board, skin lotion, talcm powder, plastic mirror, socks, walking shoes, and slippers. Stop smoking. Manage yor diabetes so yo can prevent foot problems. 12

15 To learn more: National Diabetes Edcation Program NDEP ( ) American Association of Diabetes Edcators American Diabetes Association DIABETES ( ) American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC-INFO ( ) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services MEDICARE ( ) National Institte of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Diabetes Information Clearinghose

16 To Do List: Make plans now to take care of yor feet for a lifetime. Check each item when completed. Use the foot care tips on the other side of this page. Pt this list where I will see it every day. Get a pair of nail clippers, an emery board, and pmice stone if my doctor tells me to. By soft, lightly padded, seamless socks. By a pair of shoes that fit well and protect my feet. Place slippers beside my bed to wear when I get ot of bed. Get a mirror to help me see the bottoms of my feet. Ask for help from a family member or caregiver if I cannot see my feet.

17 Keep my next doctor s visit. Ask my doctor if my insrance will cover the cost of special shoes or inserts. Ask my health care team abot diabetes services and spplies that may be covered by Medicare or other insrance plans. Ask my doctor or nrse to look at my feet at every visit. Talk with my health care team abot safe ways I can be more active each day. Stop smoking. Call to get help with qitting. Work to manage my diabetes to prevent foot problems. National Diabetes Edcation Program NDEP ( )

18 Foot Care Tips: Take Care of Yor Feet for a Lifetime Check yor feet every day. Look at yor bare feet every day for cts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Use a mirror to check the bottoms of yor feet or ask a family member for help if yo have troble seeing. Wash yor feet every day. Wash yor feet in warm, not hot, water every day. Dry yor feet. Be sre to dry between the toes. Keep the skin soft and smooth. Rb a thin coat of lotion over the tops and bottoms of yor feet, bt not between yor toes. Smooth corns and callses gently. If yor doctor tells yo to, se a pmice stone to gently smooth corns and callses. Do not se over-the-conter prodcts or sharp objects on corns and callses. If yo can see, reach, and feel yor feet, trim yor toenails reglarly. If yo cannot, ask a foot doctor (podiatrist) to trim them for yo. Trim yor toenails straight across and smooth the corners with an emery board or nail file. Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear shoes that fit well and protect yor feet. Feel inside yor shoes before ptting them on to make sre the lining is smooth and that there are no objects inside.

19 7 Protect yor feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement. Wear socks at night if yor feet get cold. Do not test bath water with yor feet Do not se hot water bottles or heating pads on yor feet. Keep the blood flowing to yor feet. Pt yor feet p when sitting. Wiggle yor toes and move yor ankles p and down for 5 mintes, two or three times a day. Do not cross yor legs for long periods of time. Do not smoke. Call QUITNOW ( ). Be active every day. Talk to yor health care team abot safe ways yo can be more active. Check with yor health care team. Have yor doctor or nrse check yor bare feet and tell yo if yo have foot problems or may get foot problems in the ftre. Remember that yo may not feel the pain of an injry. Call yor health care team right away if yo find a ct, sore, blister, or brise on yor foot that does not begin to heal after a few days. Follow yor health care team s advice abot foot care. Take care of yor diabetes. Ask yor health care team to help yo set and reach goals for managing yor blood sgar, blood pressre, and cholesterol. National Diabetes Edcation Program NDEP ( )

20 National Diabetes Edcation Program NDEP ( ) Dennis R. Frisch, DPM of the American Podiatric Medical Association reviewed this material for accracy. HHS NDEP is jointly sponsored by NIH and CDC with the spport of more than 200 partner organizations. By joining a research stdy, people can help improve their health and the health of others. See and NIH Pblication No NDEP-4 Revised Agst 2012 The NDEP prints on recycled paper with bio-based ink.