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Take care of your body and live life!
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We take our feet for granted. Usually, the only maintenance and care they get is trimming of the toenails. Unless we begin to have issues, feet get very little attention. If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, your feet may become more problematic and it is prudent to pay more attention to them. If not, there can be complications that can progress into more serious issues and lead to infections and even amputation. |
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How to keep Foot Fungal infections in check Common issues like fungal infections, calluses and common sores or cuts can become more serious in a diabetic situation if left unchecked and cared for as infections can occur and lead to more serious difficulties later on. Feet are abused daily and everyone takes them for granted. They are the ugly step children who rarely get noticed or attended to unless a major issue occurs. Usually, the only time they get any attention whatsoever, is to paint and trim the toenails. If you are guy, toenail trimming can be few and far between. Common problems can occur with cracking, soreness and itching. Usually this means a fungal infection has established residence on the sole or between the toes. Burning itching and peeling can become annoying and even painful. Athletes Foot is usually the culprit and can be most common in people who swim or shower in public areas. Common within sports enthusiasts, athlete’s foot is a fungus that infects the feet and causes itching, peeling and redness, especially around the toes. Over the counter topical medication can be applied as treatment. If the area does not get any better, oral medication prescribed by a doctor may be in order. The toenail can be another area that fungal infections can take place. If one or more of your toe nails become discolored or abnormal; a fungus may be the cause. In some cases, the nail becomes yellowish an opaque. After awhile the nail becomes brittle and can even separate from the toe itself. Immediate attention is needed to treat the area with topical or oral medication may be needed. Toe fungus is difficult to treat so it is important to address this right away. If you have diabetes, it is highly important you keep on top of fungal issues. Your feet should be inspected daily and proper care and maintenance is highly recommended. This includes regular cleaning, inspection and treatment of cuts, sores and fungal infections. If an infection goes untreated, serious issues can occur down the road.sulting a physician is always recommended for proper diagnosis and management.
What you need to know about Diabetes, Corns, Bunions and your Feet
Some common foot ailments that appear on the foot are: 1. Calluses - A callus is typically hard skin tissue that has built up over time. The areas most likely to have calluses are on the soles of the feet. Usually, a callus occurs when shoes are do not fit well and weight is not distributed evenly across the foot. If you have calluses, the best course of action is to rub down the extra tissue with a pumice stone after you bathe. Do not try to cut the skin away from the foot as an infection may occur. 2. Corns – Corns are similar to calluses except they appear near bony areas around the toes. Corns appear as a result of extended pressure between or around the toe due to improper shoe wear. As with the typical callus, corns can be removed by rubbing them down with a pumice stone after bathing. 3. Bunions – Bunions are areas of the big toe that become red and sensitive because they are pushed toward the inside toe. Usually this is the result of wearing high heeled shoes if you have narrow toes. Common padding can be used to help relief pain, irritation and potential infection, but surgery may be necessary to re-align the toes to their proper positions. Bunions can occur in one or both feet. In summary, proper sizing of your footwear is important in keeping your feet healthy. If you are dealing with diabetes, it is very important to deal with minor issues before they become out of control and infectious. Infections can lead to real issues, especially if diabetes is part of the equation. Diabetes can interfere with the body’s ability to fight infection which could lead to real problems. 3 Steps to long term Health and Wellness Health and wellness is not a quick walk around the track after a stop at your local burger joint. It is a long term plan and strategy that you define and execute consistently. Sensible eating and moderate exercise are the true combination to assist in losing weight and becoming more fit and healthy. So, if now is the time to pick up a new lease in life, increase your stamina and decrease your level of fat and sugar intake, then by all means look to develop a plan around your goals and objectives. 1. Before starting any new program, get a physical and discuss your desire with your doctor. They will give you guidance and point you in the right direction based on the results of your physical and long term goals. Ask about recommendations around nutrition, and your current physical state to determine if the activities you might enjoy are feasible.
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