These 5 types of diabetics are more likely to develop diabetic foot! Remember these 5 tips to stay away from diabetic foot!

01. The course of disease exceeds 10 years, and blood sugar is poorly controlled for a long time

Middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension, hyperlipidemia or obesity should be more careful about the occurrence of diabetic foot.

02. Have complications of diabetes

Patients with diabetic peripheral vascular disease and diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic peripheral vascular disease affects the blood supply to the feet, and wounds on the feet are often difficult to heal, and then develop into diabetic foot.

When the kidney function of diabetic patients is damaged, the metabolism of waste in the body is hindered, damaging the blood vessels, especially those in the lower limbs.

03. Bad living habits

Studies have shown that diabetic patients who smoke are 15 times more likely to develop diabetic foot than non-smoking diabetic patients.

04. Foot disease or deformity

Patients generally do not consider seeking medical attention for corns or calluses. However, even if the wounds and ulcers of these patients have healed, the probability of them suffering from diabetic foot is still over 80%.

Patients with foot deformities such as high arches, claw toes, hammer toes, and flat feet are prone to foot injuries due to improper wearing of shoes and socks, which may induce diabetic foot.

05. Not observing your feet

Prevention of foot ulcers requires diabetic patients to have strong compliance, self-discipline, and the ability to self-check and protect themselves. Elderly people are usually unable to observe the condition of their feet in time. If neuropathy causes loss of pain sensation in the feet, it is difficult to detect the existence of wounds in the first place. It is recommended that elderly people living alone learn to check the soles of their feet with a mirror frequently.

Remember these 5 tips to stay away from diabetic foot!

Elderly diabetic patients are at high risk of diabetic foot and have a high amputation rate, accounting for about 45% of the diabetic foot population and 71.14% to 72.60% of the total amputation population. Studies have shown that improving foot self-care behaviors such as seeking help from professionals, choosing the right shoes and socks, and preventing and treating skin problems are particularly important. Remember these 5 tips to keep diabetic patients away from diabetic foot!

1. Actively treat risk factors : remove calluses, protect blisters, treat ingrown toenails or thickened toenails, etc.;

2. Regularly check and evaluate the distal sensation, circulation, skin and surface temperature of the feet ;

3. Avoid infection : Maintain good foot hygiene, avoid trauma, and use antifungal treatment when infection occurs;

4. Choose targeted pressure-relieving insoles according to your doctor’s advice and evaluate the effects regularly ;

5. Avoid delays in seeking medical attention : Perform routine foot lesion screening and ensure that patients know how to contact appropriate medical professionals.

References

[1] Yuan Xiaoyong, Lu Difei, Qi Xin, et al. Analysis of risk factors for diabetic foot amputation and death in the elderly[J]. Chinese Journal of Diabetes, 2020, 28(9): 657-662.

[2] Yang Liu, Qi Yiqin, Jiang Chaonan, et al. Study on foot self-care behavior and influencing factors in high-risk patients with diabetic foot[J]. Journal of Nursing, 2021, 36(19): 23-27.

[3] People’s Medical Publishing House, “Don’t Torture Me, Diabetic Foot”