3 Medical Myths About Diabetic Foot Care
If you have diabetes, foot care isn’t just about comfort. It is about limb preservation!
Chronically high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels and nerves in the lower extremities. This leads to Peripheral Neuropathy (loss of protective sensation) and poor circulation. A minor scrape that a healthy person would heal in a week can quickly escalate into a life-threatening ulcer for a diabetic patient.
Because the stakes are so high, following outdated advice can be catastrophic. Below, we debunk the three most dangerous myths we see at the Foot & Ankle Center of Cleveland.
Myth 1: “If my foot doesn’t hurt, the cut isn’t serious.”
The Truth: This is the most dangerous myth of all.
- Neuropathy acts like a severed alarm wire. Your foot could be pierced by a nail, severely blistered, or develop a deep pressure ulcer, and your brain will never receive the “pain” signal.
- You cannot rely on pain to tell you something is wrong. You must rely on your eyes.
- Diabetics must visually inspect the bottoms of their feet every single night (using a hand mirror if necessary) to catch “silent” wounds.
Myth 2: “Soaking my feet in hot water will improve my circulation.”
The Truth: You should never soak diabetic feet in hot water.
- Because of neuropathy, you cannot accurately gauge temperature.
- Patients frequently sustain severe, third-degree burns from bathwater or heating pads because they simply couldn’t feel that the water was scalding.
- Furthermore, soaking macerates (waterlogs) the skin, making it highly susceptible to tearing and bacterial infection.
- Wash your feet quickly with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly between the toes.
Myth 3: “It’s safe to use medicated pads for my corns and calluses.”
The Truth: Over-the-counter “corn remover” pads contain harsh chemicals, usually Salicylic Acid.
- Acid does not know the difference between a dead corn and healthy, living tissue.
- For a diabetic with compromised circulation, these pads frequently cause severe chemical burns that turn into gaping, infected ulcers.
- Never use sharp blades or chemical pads on your feet!
The Fact-Based Fix
Diabetic foot care must be managed by a professional, and we’d be happy to help!
We can safely debride calluses, trim nails to prevent ingrowns, and prescribe Diabetic Extra-Depth Shoes(often covered by Medicare) to eliminate the friction that causes ulcers in the first place.
Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Jim Swienconek, and Dr. Courtney Yoder treat patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
