For diabetics, foot care isn’t just an appointment – it’s a necessity. Elevated blood glucose levels can quietly weaken nerves and blood vessels in the feet, causing complications that are severe if not monitored. That’s why regular foot checks are one of the most critical – and most neglected aspects of diabetes care.
At Baines Hospital, our diabetic foot expert focuses on early treatment and prevention to avoid unnecessary problems such as ulcers, infections, and amputations. Here’s all you need to know about why foot checks are important and how to safeguard your feet.
Why Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
When blood glucose stays high over time, it can harm the nerves (a state referred to as diabetic neuropathy) and decrease blood flow to the legs and feet. The combination of nerve damage and poor circulation makes wounds more difficult to heal and infections more likely to spread without notice.
Some of the most common diabetic foot issues are:
- – Numbness or tingling
- – Loss of sensation
- – Dry, cracked skin
- – Foot ulcers
- – Fungal infections
- – Swelling and redness
- – Deformities or foot shape change
Without regular foot checks, they may go unnoticed and develop fast.
The Importance of Regular Foot Checks
Here’s why all diabetic patients should make foot checks a daily routine and a standard part of medical appointments:
1. Early Detection of Problems
Minor cuts, blisters, or breaks in the skin may appear trivial, but for people with diabetes, they can become infected ulcers if detected late. Early scrutiny identifies warning signs before complications set in.
2. Stop Infections
Many patients don’t realize they’ve injured their foot until an infection has already set in. Regular foot checks can prevent this by identifying areas of concern – like redness, pus, or unusual warmth early on.
3. Avoiding Amputations
Untreated foot ulcers are capable of developing severe infection that will need hospitalization or amputation. A large majority of amputations can be avoided with early intervention, and it begins with monitoring every day and regular podiatrist or diabetic foot doctor visits.
4. Skin and Nail Monitoring
Yellow or thick toenails, peeling skin, or fungal infections could be indicative of larger problems. Regular monitoring enables early treatment and prevents skin breakdown.
5. Monitoring Foot Shape or Skin Color Changes
Swelling, skin darkening, or foot shape changes may reflect underlying issues like Charcot foot or impaired circulation. Routine visits to a foot specialist can help detect these issues early.
Daily Foot Inspection: How to Do It
Our Baines Hospital diabetic foot experts suggest the following easy steps for self-foot examination at home:
- – Make it a habit to check the top and bottom of your feet every day.
- – Monitor for blisters, cuts, redness, swelling, or discharge.
- – Use a mirror or ask someone in your household if you are unable to view the soles.
- – Check the spaces between the toes for cracks or infections.
- – Check for areas of differing temperatures or swelling.
- – Monitor for new pain, tingling, or numbness.
When to See a Diabetic Foot Specialist
You should make an appointment with a podiatrist or diabetic foot specialist at Baines Hospital if you experience:
- – A non healing wound or ulcer.
- – Constant numbness or burning.
- – Swelling, discoloration, or odor.
- – Ingrown toenails or fungal infection of the nails.
- – Dry, cracked heels that bleed.
- – Any deformity or alteration in the shape or sensation of your foot
Don’t wait for pain – a lot of serious diabetic foot conditions happen without noticeable symptoms.
Why Baines Hospital for Diabetic Foot Care?
At Baines Hospital, we are happy to be a source of trust for diabetic foot care in Bengaluru. Our professional team provides:
- – Robust foot screening and risk assessment
- – Sophisticated wound management and ulcer care
- – Nerve tests and circulation check-ups
- – Treatment of nail and skin infection
- – Preventive care and patient education
- – Customized diabetic footwear and offloading devices
Led by experienced diabetic foot specialists, our clinic focuses on early detection, personalized treatment, and long term foot health.
Final Takeaway
If you’re living with diabetes, taking care of your feet is just as important as managing your sugar levels. Regular foot checks – both at home and with a specialist – can help you avoid serious complications and keep you mobile and healthy.
Don’t wait for trouble to strike. Book your diabetic foot screening today at Baines Hospital – Bengaluru’s best center for diabetic foot care.