Group wants to knock the socks off diabetes

Source: Courier-Journal.com, Louisville, Kentucky.

The American Podiatric Medical Association is taking steps — no pun intended — to raise awareness about the correlation between diabetes and feet.

To emphasize the importance of feet checkups, the association has kicked off its “Knock Your Socks Off!” campaign encouraging people to get their feet checked regularly for the early warning signs and symptoms of diabetes. The campaign coincides with Diabetes Awareness Month.

The association’s Web site, at www.apma.org/diabetes, posts valuable information about maintaining good foot health plus a “Keep Your Feet Fit for Life” checklist of do’s and don’ts for people with diabetes.

Among the do’s are:

# Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, scratches, redness and swelling.

# Inform every doctor you visit that you have diabetes.

# Wash feet daily. Be sure to dry carefully between the toes.

# Powder feet lightly after bathing.

# Cut toenails straight across.

# Keep feet warm and dry.

# Use a good skin lotion to protect your feet from cracking and drying, but not between the toes.

# Wear loose-fitting socks to bed if feet are cold; never use heating pads or hot water bottles.

# Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

# Inspect the inside of shoes for foreign objects and torn lining each time you put them on.

Among the don’ts are:

# Don’t walk barefoot, even indoors.

# Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces blood circulation; this can lead to the loss of a leg.

# Don’t use caustic chemical agents or any other irritants for the removal of corns and calluses.

# Don’t wear open-toed shoes, particularly sandals with thongs between toes.

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