As a diabetic, taking care of your feet should be one of your top concerns, and this is a fact you probably already know. However, too many diabetics get a small wound and expect it to be no big deal, or they have a typical foot problem and forget that even typical feet problems can be a big deal for diabetics. The fact is, you have to keep an eye on almost every little thing going on with your feet so a small abrasion does not become something far more worrisome because the wound refuses to heal. Here is a look at a few types of foot wounds to be highly cautious of as a diabetic.
Ingrown Toenails
When the edge of your toenail grows in an awkward fashion and protrudes into the skin around the toenail, this is known as an ingrown toenail. This can be really painful, no matter if you are a diabetic or not, but if an ingrown toenail is allowed to grow, it can mean big problems if you are a diabetic. The toenail cutting into the skin creates a wound in an area that is highly prone to infection, and just a small protrusion into the skin can lead to an infected toe that refuses to heal. Therefore, if you discover an ingrown toenail, reach out to your podiatrist for advice.
Cracked Calluses
Just about everyone develops calluses on their feet, and calluses are actually one of the body's ways of creating a layer of protection on certain pressure points of the feet. If you are a diabetic, you may develop calluses at a faster rate than usual, but your calluses may also crack because the development happens so quickly that the skin layers do not have enough time to form correctly. A cracked callus may not look like much, but it can lead to an ugly wound if you continue to put pressure on the area.
Stubbed Toe
You catch your toe on the edge of the bed frame, a table leg, or a corner and it can cause some pretty severe pain for anyone. If you stub your toe and it impacts the toe in such a way that the toenail is damaged or there is an open wound, you have to make sure you properly care for this wound as a diabetic. These small injuries can grow bigger, become infected, and even lead to the need for an amputation if you are not careful.
Contact a clinic, like Collier Podiatry PA, for more help.
