Feet are the part of our body which is most exposed to dirt and all sorts of infection. Diabetics are more prone to catch the infections. Moreover, their feet get numbed and the sensation of pain caused by damage due to infection does not reach them. In monsoon, repeated wetting of shoes the need to wear socks for long periods of time increases the risk of infections. With some important tips to prevent your feet from infection and other problems during monsoon, you would be able to keep them healthy despite diabetes.
Tips for Foot Care in Monsoon for Diabetics
- When you wipe your wet feet, make sure that the area between the toes is cleaned with a dry towel.
- After coming from home from rain, wash your feet thoroughly with soap.
- Use an antifungal powder on your feet before wearing shoes after having dusted your feet properly.
- Use a scrubber to get rid of mud on your feet.
- When you dry the feet with a towel, use moisturizer for preventing dryness. Make sure the moisturizer does not go between the toes.
- Rather than shoes that close in your feet, wear chappals or flip flops in rain. Keep changing the shoes as wearing the same daily increase the chances of infection.
- Dry your shoes in the sun to get rid of bacterial growth.
- If you are used to jogging, change your shoes every 8-10 months. A running shoe lasts from 650 kms. So, if you run 20 km in a week, your shoes would outlive their utility in around 10 months.
- Your socks should be clean and dry. They should keep moisture off your feet. Get cotton socks having acrylic blends as they are ideal for this.
- Trim your toenails on a regular basis.
- In monsoon, the chances of scrapes, bruises, cuts, calluses and corns increase. Swelling of feet and redness are some of other complications possible during monsoon. So, keep examining your feet for any signs of these. Any sort of itchiness, dryness and scaly feeling should not be taken lightly. Consult a podiatrist in case you notice these symptoms.
In diabetics, wounds and infections take longer to heal. If they adopt a casual attitude towards the infection or trauma in their feet, it can aggravate so bad that amputation is the only treatment left. As 60 per cent diabetics suffer from numbness in feet, it becomes particularly important for them to look after their feet.
Have a happy, healthy , safe monsoon.
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