Palisades Podiatry Associates is here for you when you need diabetic foot care in Pomona, NY, and Tappan, NY. Dr. Barry Schoenberg and Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz are your podiatrists to help keep your feet healthy. Read about diabetic foot care and contact us for an appointment to take the best care of your feet.
Why Is Diabetic Foot Care Important?
Diabetes can cause nerve damage to the point diabetics can have decreased sensitivity in the extremities. This makes diabetics much more susceptible to small things like abrasions or blisters turning into much more serious and infected wounds. If you get a small injury like that and don't treat it right away, it's more likely to become infected.
Diabetes can also reduce blood flow to the area, so any healing that needs to happen there will be slower and it will be harder to resist infection. These turn into infections or non-healing wounds that could put you at risk for an amputation. We can help you manage this risk with diabetic foot care in Pomona, NY, and Tappan, NY.
If I Have Diabetes, What Should I Do for My Feet?
When you have diabetes it's important to take a little extra care of your feet each day:
- Wash your feet with lukewarm water and completely dry them every day.
- Wear clean, dry socks every day, and avoid socks that restrict blood flow to your feet with a tight band.
- Inspect your feet once a day for any cuts or abrasions. Small abrasions or blisters can be very problematic for diabetics if they get infected, so make sure you have any open wounds treated right away.
- Moisturize your feet. Don't moisturize between your toes, but keep the heels and feet moisturized to prevent your skin from cracking.
- Cut your toenails straight across to help prevent ingrown toenails.
- You shouldn't smoke, especially if you have diabetes. Smoking only restricts blood flow in the feet further.
Dr. Barry Schoenberg and Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz of Palisades Podiatry Associates provide diabetic foot care in Pomona, NY, and Tappan, NY. Contact us for an appointment in Pomona, NY, at (845) 362-0100, and in Tappan, NY, at (845) 359-1200.