I've shared some information today regarding peripheral neuropathy and it's important to share as well the "Checking your Feet" checklist. If you live with peripheral neuropathy, your foot health is very important. For those living with Diabetes...it's paramount that your feet be checked on a regular basis by you and by your doctor and/or diabetes treatment team.
Please take a look at the following information and please give thought to your foot health...Do your feet need care? Are there things you can do to help yourself? and the most important question...will you do it?
Even if your peripheral neuropathy is not caused by Diabetes...your foot health is important and your care is needed.
The following checklist is set for diabetics but it is helpful for anyone who needs to maintain the foot health. If you have any questions about checking your feet please speak to your doctor and/or treatment team.
Healthy feet are important for taking the steps you need forward...make sure yours will keep you walking and check them often.
Please take a look at the following information and please give thought to your foot health...Do your feet need care? Are there things you can do to help yourself? and the most important question...will you do it?
Even if your peripheral neuropathy is not caused by Diabetes...your foot health is important and your care is needed.
The following checklist is set for diabetics but it is helpful for anyone who needs to maintain the foot health. If you have any questions about checking your feet please speak to your doctor and/or treatment team.
Healthy feet are important for taking the steps you need forward...make sure yours will keep you walking and check them often.
Diabetes: Checking Your Feet - Topic Overview
When you have diabetes, you need to examine your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If you can't see well, have someone else use this checklist to examine your feet for you.
Using this checklist helps you remember to examine all areas of your feet.
Checklist for daily foot exams
What to check your feet for and what to do if you notice a problem
Skin color:
Patches where hair is missing
Bald patches may mean irritation from shoes or a blood flow problem. Show the areas to your doctor during your next visit.
Blister
Break in your skin
Note: Examine the underside of your toes and the area between the toes for breaks in the skin.
Calluses (hardened areas of skin) and corns (pressure sores, usually found on or between toes)
Show the area to your doctor at your next visit. This is very important.
Peeling skin or tiny blisters between your toes or cracking and oozing of the skin
This may be athlete's foot. Treating athlete's foot early can prevent serious foot infections. See the topic Athlete's Foot for more information.
Moisture between your toes
Dry between your toes well. Moisture between your toes provides a good place for bacteria and fungi to grow, causing infection.
Feelings of numbness, burning, or "pins and needles"
If you have new numbness or tingling in your feet that does not go away after changing position, call your doctor.
Sore (ulcer)
Do not try to treat a foot ulcer at home. Call your doctor immediately. If you check your feet regularly, you usually will see a problem before it becomes an ulcer.
Ingrown toenail
Do not treat an ingrown toenail at home. Call your doctor for an appointment.
the above information was copied directly from WebMD.com and all rights belong to them
When you have diabetes, you need to examine your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If you can't see well, have someone else use this checklist to examine your feet for you.
Using this checklist helps you remember to examine all areas of your feet.
Checklist for daily foot exams
What to check your feet for and what to do if you notice a problem
Skin color:
- Red - Redness could point to irritation from shoes or overheating or other early signs of a problem. Do what you can to discover the cause and fix it, such as wearing shoes that fit better.
- Blue or black - Blue or black areas can mean bruising or blood flow problems. Call your doctor to report them.
Patches where hair is missing
Bald patches may mean irritation from shoes or a blood flow problem. Show the areas to your doctor during your next visit.
Blister
- Try to discover the cause of the blister. Friction or rubbing against your skin causes blisters. You may need new shoes.
- Do not break the blister or open it yourself. Leave the skin over the blister intact.
- Cover the blister with a sterile, nonstick dressing and paper tape.
- Call your doctor if any blister becomes red, oozes, or is not healing after 4 days.
Break in your skin
- Gently wash the area with mild soap; blot it dry and cover it with a sterile, nonstick dressing.
- Call your doctor if any break in the skin becomes red, oozes, or is not healing after 4 days.
Note: Examine the underside of your toes and the area between the toes for breaks in the skin.
Calluses (hardened areas of skin) and corns (pressure sores, usually found on or between toes)
Show the area to your doctor at your next visit. This is very important.
- Do not use products sold in drugstores to remove corns, calluses, or other problems.
- Do not use a pumice stone on calluses unless your doctor or foot doctor (podiatrist) shows you how to use it properly.
- Do not cut, file, or do anything that may break the skin on your feet.
Peeling skin or tiny blisters between your toes or cracking and oozing of the skin
This may be athlete's foot. Treating athlete's foot early can prevent serious foot infections. See the topic Athlete's Foot for more information.
- To prevent athlete's foot, wear shower shoes or bathing shoes when you use public showers or pools. Otherwise, keep feet dry.
- Keep feet clean. Wear clean socks every day.
- Do not treat athlete's foot without first seeing your doctor or podiatrist.
Moisture between your toes
Dry between your toes well. Moisture between your toes provides a good place for bacteria and fungi to grow, causing infection.
Feelings of numbness, burning, or "pins and needles"
If you have new numbness or tingling in your feet that does not go away after changing position, call your doctor.
Sore (ulcer)
Do not try to treat a foot ulcer at home. Call your doctor immediately. If you check your feet regularly, you usually will see a problem before it becomes an ulcer.
Ingrown toenail
Do not treat an ingrown toenail at home. Call your doctor for an appointment.
the above information was copied directly from WebMD.com and all rights belong to them
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