Be thankful for your feet this season!

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is upon us and with that comes cooler weather, pumpkin flavored everything, and Thanksgiving! I’m sure we can all name a few things that we are grateful for, but upon that list should be your feet! “Why should I be thankful for my feet?” you may ask. Well, take this fact for example; an average person walks 8,000-10,000 steps a day which equals 115,000 miles in a lifetime! Your feet get you to and from many places during your lifespan.

November is diabetes awareness month and with that being said, I’m sure that any diabetic who has had an ulcer, painful neuropathy, or an amputation can reassure you that you should be thankful for your foot health.  Over 25 million people in the US are currently diabetic and foot problems, particularly infections, are the most common reason for diabetic hospital admissions and more than 230 diabetic amputations are being performed daily.

The promising news is that majority of diabetic foot complications can be prevented and YOU can be in control of your foot health! Here is a list of preventative tips for daily diabetic foot care.

 

  • Inspect your feet daily! You are looking for any cracks, blisters, bruises, calluses, red spots, cuts or ulcers and moisture between the toes.
  • Check your water temperature with your hand prior to bathing to prevent burns.
  • Avoid using heating pads, hot water bottles, or going barefoot on hot surfaces such as cement.
  • Moisturize your feet, but do not apply lotion/creams between toes.
  • Do not trim your own calluses/corns.
  • Cut your nails straight across and avoid trimming corners too deep.
  • Do not go barefoot indoors/outdoors.
  • Inspect the insides of your shoes prior to putting them on.

Podiatrists are imperative to a diabetic’s foot health and can help prevent and treat underlying issues prior to developing into larger problems.  By including a podiatrist in your diabetic care, you can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation by up to 85%. A person with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot exam on a yearly basis. Depending on the results of this exam and the risk category, some people may need to be seen more regularly.

Dakota Foot and Ankle will be offering diabetic foot screenings through the month of November for no charge! Schedule an appointment today to reserve your time as spots are limited.

Dr. Kayla Emter, DPM

 

Contact Us

Dakota Foot & Ankle Clinic

Monday:

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed