FOOT CARE GUIDELINES:

• Wash and dry feet well every day
• Wear well fitting shoes and clean, dry, cotton shocks.
• Never walk barefoot.
• Follow the contour of toe when trimming toe nails. To prevent ingrown nails, do not cut into the corners.
• Apply moisturizing lotion daily.
• Avoid using lotions that are perfumed or that contain alcohol.
• See a podiatrist regularly for removal of corns, warts and calluses.
• A yearly foot evaluation is recommended.
• Buy shoes mid day, when feet are their largest. Break in new shoes gradually.
• Leather shoes will stretch and mold to the foot and provide less pressure areas.
• Notify your health care provider within 24 hours if your foot becomes infected or injured.
• Keep the area clean, dry and covered.
• Apply antibiotic ointment and gauze wrap as needed. Try to stay off the foot as much as possible until it is evaluated.

Skin Care Tips for Diabetics

Always maintain your diabetes under control – high blood glucose levels can lead to bacterial and fungal infection, moreover it tends to result in dry skin for diabetics.
Keep your skin clean

Ø Take bath in warm water, hot water can dry out the skin.
Ø Use moisturizers to avoid drying of skin.
Ø Drink plenty of water
Ø Keep your home humid during cold and dry months.
Ø Protect your skin from sun – Use water proof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
Ø Areas where skin touches skin need to be kept dry. Using powder on these areas can help keep them dry.
Ø Treat minor skin problems – check with your diabetics care provider


Note: If you are prone to skin problems, ask your diabetes care provider about adding a skin doctor (dermatologist).

Skin Care Tips for Diabetics

Always maintain your diabetes under control – high blood glucose levels can lead to bacterial and fungal infection, moreover it tends to result in dry skin for diabetics.
Keep your skin clean

Ø Take bath in warm water, hot water can dry out the skin.
Ø Use moisturizers to avoid drying of skin.
Ø Drink plenty of water
Ø Keep your home humid during cold and dry months.
Ø Protect your skin from sun – Use water proof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
Ø Areas where skin touches skin need to be kept dry. Using powder on these areas can help keep them dry.
Ø Treat minor skin problems – check with your diabetics care provider
Note: If you are prone to skin problems please consult a diabetologist as well as a dermatologist .

Diabetics care - on a sick day

A diabetic should increase hydration at least by 8 oz/hour and if you are unable to eat drink caloric beverages such as ginger ale, apple juice or broth. Reducing or skipping the regular diet will lower the glucose level so it is better to maintain the usual diet, also adjust the type of food required to maintain the necessary nutrition.

Check your blood glucose every four hours and record it, incase if the glucose reading is more than 250 mg/dl then the urine ketoses should be checked. Consult with the physician if fever, vomiting or diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours or if the symptoms are similar.

During sick days take complete rest and never try to lower your glucose levels by exercising. Maintain the intake of usual insulin dose, usage of insulin supplements may be needed to reduce high glucose levels caused by illness.