Skip The Barefoot Look
Always wear shoes or slippers. Always wear socks with your shoes, since leather, plastics, and manmade shoe materials can irritate your skin and quickly bring on blisters.
While you might prefer the look of hose, nylon knee-highs, or thin socks, you may find that these don’t give your toes or heels enough protection. Wear thicker socks to pad your feet and cushion any or sore spots.
Diagnosis Of Diabetic Foot
To diagnose diabetic foot, the experts will:
- Ask if you are able to manage your blood sugar levels
- Ask about the symptoms the patient is facing
- Examine the affected area
- Check for the sensation or the feel of touch using different tools
In case the patient has reached the extent of diabetic ulcer or blister, the doctor will:
- Look for the signs such as redness, swelling, warmth, and skin discoloration, and skin discharge.
- Prescribe some tests like X-ray or MRI, to examine conditions deeper than the skin
- Take a sample of skin discharge to figure out the kind of infection.
Other Natural Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment Options
To avoid unnecessary procedures, surgeries or drugs, there are several other avenues you can pursue to get treatment results for your diabetic neuropathy symptoms such as:
Together with your caregiver, you can establish a system of prevention, monitoring and treatment that can help you limit how diabetes affects you or a loved one. Take the steps necessary to fight for the quality of life you deserve!
Read Also: Are Diabetic Test Strips Universal
What Will Happen If The Nerves In My Legs And Feet Are Damaged
If there is nerve damage, you may not be able to feel an injury in your legs and feet. You also may have tingling or pain. Your muscles may become weaker and smaller. You may have trouble walking.
The skin on your feet may get dry and cracked. You may get sores on your feet. Diabetes makes sores hard to heal.
Home Remedies For Diabetic Foot Pain
The most effective remedies for reducing nerve damage in the feet that can be caused by high blood sugar levels in diabetics are lifestyle changes. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle may help reduce damage in the feet as these are the most effective forms of treating diabetic symptoms.
As well as lifestyle changes, there are also prescription treatments that can be provided by a medical professional to those who are dealing with serious problems. This is why you need to seek medical advice when dealing with nephropathy or symptoms related to it, as this can ensure you are getting the right information and treatment related to your injury.
However, if you are looking for a temporary way to reduce the discomfort you experience every day and offer some relief, then these are some of the most accessible home remedies available:
Don’t Miss: Healthy Diet For Diabetics To Lose Weight
Natural Treatments For Neuropathy In Legs And Feet
In this fast and highly progressive world where every day is no less than a race, neuropathic pain in our legs and feet is constant and majorly common. Every house has at least one member who complains of numbness or pain in their joints, legs, or feet, but what to do? How can we help it?
Nowadays, with so many different kinds of medication and treatment options available all around us, one of the major questions is “which one to go for?” We cannot lie to ourselves. We all are very fond of natural treatments and remedies and would always like to choose them over all the other methods. Still, there are always certain inhibitions, the question “Why should we choose Natural Treatment over the others?” If this is the scenario, you might find your answers to the questions in this article.
Have you ever been in this situation where you have been prescribed strong medications even in minor pains? If your answer is a YES, this is why you should try natural treatments. Traditional methods for the treatment of neuropathy often use powerful analgesics with medicines. Some drugs contain opioids that can lead to dependence and addiction. The variety of strong chemical-based sprays and creams prescribed can lead to severe injuries and infections on the skin. As always, consult with your doctor before changing your treatments. We are not medical professionals, just giving you more information to make the best decision that works for you. Please discuss with your primary care doctor
What Is Diabetic Foot Pain
Diabetic foot pain is a common diabetic complication marked by pain and nerve damage in the feet. Diabetics often have poor circulation, so blood flow to their feet can reduce which makes it difficult for wounds to heal.
As there isnt enough oxygenated blood getting through. This wound that wont close leads to chronic diabetic ulcers.
Although diabetic foot pain is a common form of diabetic complication, its also preventable with proper care and precautions so you can manage diabetic foot pain effectively. So what are the warning signs?
Diabetic foot pain will often result in numbness or tingling in your feet at night which goes away once you wake up. You might also feel a sharp or burning pain in your foot that lasts more than three months.
If you have diabetic neuropathy, then the symptoms will be different and may include weakness in muscles of the foot and leg, an unsteady walk, loss of balance control, poor coordination when walking or running, and stiffness of the legs.
Recommended Reading: 30 Carb Meals For Diabetics
Give Your Feet Some Tlc
Nerve damage in your feet can cause them to lose sensation. “So you may not realize that you scratched or cut your foot until much later,” Sackheim says. As a result, you may develop a more serious problem, like an ulcer or infection. To avoid this, Sackheim says you should clean and examine your feet at the end of each day. “Also make sure that you wear comfortable shoes.” Pairs that are too tight can pinch your feet and lead to injury.
Topical Pain Massage Creams
Generally, for the management of neuropathic pain, doctors prescribe pain-relievers like non-addictive analgesics or opioids. However, drugs from both these classes come with different side effects with opioids being the worst – causing withdrawal symptoms and addiction. In this light, topical analgesics that bring about temporary numbness in the neuropathic area relieving pain have become widely popular today. There are two reasons for this popularity. One, topical analgesics are easy to apply and do not cause any serious side effects on the body, unlike opioids and NSAIDs. Second, some topical analgesics or pain management creams that are available today in the market have the added benefit of aiding in the reversal of nerve damage. Though fully damaged nerves cannot be completely reversed back to their normal stage, some Advanced Neuropathy Creams like the DSC Advanced Cream are known to help reverse the damage to some extent.
You May Like: Type 1 Diabetes And Pregnancy
What Is Proximal Neuropathy
Proximal neuropathy, sometimes called lumbosacral plexus neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, or diabetic amyotrophy, starts with pain in the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs, usually on one side of the body. This type of neuropathy is more common in those with type 2 diabetes and in older adults with diabetes. Proximal neuropathy causes weakness in the legs and the inability to go from a sitting to a standing position without help. Treatment for weakness or pain is usually needed. The length of the recovery period varies, depending on the type of nerve damage.
Avoiding Or Quitting Smoking
Diabetes is more common among people who smoke, although researchers are not sure exactly why.
Smoking damages the walls of the arteries, causing fat to build up, narrowing blood vessels, and impeding circulation. Poor circulation contributes to neuropathy.
Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. In addition, it may worsen insulin resistance.
Don’t Miss: How To Lower Insulin Resistance
Controlling Blood Glucose Levels
Getting blood glucose levels under control cant reverse nerve damage but can prevent further damage from occurring. Your doctor will give you specific blood sugar goals. Managing these levels includes eating a healthy diet high in protein and low in carbs. When you eat carbs, try to choose food with a higher fiber content, avoiding chips and soda.
Regular exercise can help keep blood sugar levels manageable by increasing insulin sensitivity, meaning youll need to take less insulin each day. Getting enough sleep is also important, as we often crave high-carb foods when overly tired.
Be Careful When Buying Shoes
You might have to sacrifice some style in order to find comfort from foot nerve pain when it comes to purchasing footwear. That means buying more comfortable shoes instead of heels.2 Also, consider using inserts in order to increase the amount of support for your feet. High-quality inserts may be costly, but they can reduce pain by making sure weight is distributed more evenly across both feet.
Recommended Reading: Is Keto Diet Safe For Type 1 Diabetes
What Can I Do To Manage Diabetes
Unfortunately, once you have diabetes-related foot pain, it cant be cured. Doctors can only try to prevent it from getting worse. Here are 5 things you can do at home to help manage your diabetes-related foot pain and prevent complications:
1) Check your feet.
Check the bottoms of your feet every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. Look for cuts and wounds and anything else unusual. These may be signs that your feet are becoming less sensitive and that something is going on with the blood vessels and nerves in your feet.
2) Wear shoes around the house.
When you have diabetes-related foot pain, you cant always feel when you step on things. Wearing shoes helps to prevent cuts and injuries.
3) Follow up with your doctor.
Its important to attend your regular doctors appointments. Not only will your doctor be able to perform foot exams, but they can catch problems earlier on so you dont end up with serious complications.
4) Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Just because diabetes-related foot pain isnt reversible doesnt mean it cant be improved. Lowering high blood sugar by watching what you eat and exercising regularly can improve some symptoms of nerve pain. Both habits can help improve your blood flow as well, which will lower your risk for complications. Just remember to consult your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise plan.
5) Stop smoking.
Take Care Of Your Feet
In some cases, a little pampering can take you a long way. To reduce pain caused by neuropathy and prevent further damage, you need to make sure that you are taking care of your feet. This can include wearing supportive footwear that supports the correct position when walking and reduces pressure on the ball and heel.
If you are suffering from intense pain, then you may find performing a soak at the end of a long day is a great way to improve blood flow and soothe the muscles in your feet. Use warm soapy water and allow yourself to soak your feet for 20 minutes to reduce pain.
For further advice, please speak to your doctor about your symptoms as they may be able to help you further.
Don’t Miss: Type 2 Diabetes Renal Failure
Check Both Feet Daily
Look over both feet carefully every day, and be sure you check between all of your toes. Blisters and infections can start between your toes, and with diabetic neuropathy, you may not feel them until they’ve become irritated or infected.
If a physical challenge keeps you from checking your own feet, ask a family member to help.
Diabetic Foot Pain Home Remedies
There are numerous lifestyle changes that you can make and natural supplements or creams that you can take aside from prescription medications to help relieve diabetic foot pain. We will review remedies that you can use to temporarily relieve pain, as well as those that can help you to slowly reverse this pain over time.
Don’t Miss: Free Stuff For Type 1 Diabetes
What Can I Do To Keep From Getting Diabetic Neuropathy
Treatment of diabetes can delay or prevent diabetic neuropathy. Here are some things you can do:
Learn as much as you can about diabetes and how to control the disease. Work with your doctor to set goals, such as better blood sugar control and getting more exercise.
Keep your blood sugar levels within your goal.
Learn how a healthy diet and exercise can lower your blood sugar levels.
If you have high blood pressure or a high cholesterol level, take your medicine. Tell your doctor if you cannot take your medicines in the way they are prescribed.
If you are overweight, ask your doctor what you can do to lose weight.
Do not use alcohol or tobacco.
Record keeping is important:
Keep a list of all medicines, supplements , and herbal products that you take. Write down how much and how often you take them.
If you take insulin, keep a record of what type, how much, and when you take it.
Write down your home blood sugar measurements. Also, write down things that upset your blood sugar level, such as certain foods or illness.
Bring your medicine list, blood sugar record, and insulin record with you when you see your doctor.
What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetic Neuropathy
The main symptoms are pain in the feet, numbness in the toes or foot, and pain while walking. But the symptoms are different depending on the type of neuropathy you have. One of the most common types is peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of neuropathy that happens when there is nerve damage to the peripheral nerves.
This type of neuropathy usually affects both sides of your body, in different areas at different times such as:
- pain that spreads into your legs and hands or feet
- tightness or tingling sensations in any parts of your body
- a pins and needles sensation where you may feel like an electric shock passed through the area. It can feel like a pain or cramp.
- numbness or reduced nerve sensitivity
It can also lead to eventual lesions on the skin called “carpal tunnel syndrome” which causes numbness, weakness, burning pains, cramps, and more. It’s more common among people who work with repetitive motions such as typing for long periods of time without taking breaks.
Don’t Miss: Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Testing Supplies
When To See Your Doctor
If you experience any of these symptoms, dont wait for your next appointment. See your regular doctor or foot doctor right away:
- Pain in your legs or cramping in your buttocks, thighs, or calves during physical activity.
- Tingling, burning, or pain in your feet.
- Loss of sense of touch or ability to feel heat or cold very well.
- A change in the shape of your feet over time.
- Loss of hair on your toes, feet, and lower legs.
- Dry, cracked skin on your feet.
- A change in the color and temperature of your feet.
- Thickened, yellow toenails.
- Fungus infections such as athletes foot between your toes.
- A blister, sore, ulcer, infected corn, or ingrown toenail.
Most people with diabetes can prevent serious foot complications. Regular care at home and going to all doctors appointments are your best bet for preventing foot problems .
Types Of Nerve Damage
There are four main types of nerve damage. You can have more than one type. Symptoms depend on the type of nerve damage you have and which nerves are affected.
Peripheral nerve damage
Have you felt pins and needles or tingling in your feet? Maybe you feel like youre wearing socks or gloves when you arent. Your feet may be very sensitive to toucheven a bed sheet can hurt. These are all symptoms of peripheral nerve damage.
Peripheral nerve damage affects your hands, feet, legs, and arms, and its the most common type of nerve damage for people with diabetes. It generally starts in the feet, usually in both feet at once.
Other symptoms may include:
Also Check: Who Buys Diabetic Testing Supplies
Diabetes And Your Feet
Get your feet checked at every health care visit.
If you have diabetes, heres a way to keep standing on your own two feet: check them every dayeven if they feel fineand see your doctor if you have a cut or blister that wont heal.
Theres a lot to manage if you have diabetes: checking your blood sugar, making healthy food, finding time to be active, taking medicines, going to doctors appointments. With all that, your feet might be the last thing on your mind. But daily care is one of the best ways to prevent foot complications.
About half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage. You can have nerve damage in any part of your body, but nerves in your feet and legs are most often affected. Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet.
What Are Diabetic Foot
Diabetic foot are one of the complications of diabetes. Over time, people with diabetes start feeling numbness in their foot because of poor blood flow. Nerve damage is the main reason for this. One can have nerve damage in any part of the body. But nerves in your legs and foot are mostly affected areas.
Frequent infection, slow healing power, and weak immunity being some of the symptoms that contribute to it. Even small cuts and bruises can turn into serious complications. A diabetic foot would develop sores, deformities, and infections more easily.
There are about 15% chances that a diabetic patient is going to develop diabetic feet at some point in his/her life.
Don’t Miss: Type 2 Diabetes Exercise Plan
What Should I Do If I Have These Symptoms
If you start to notice any unusual sensations or pain in your feet or hands, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Theyll can do a quick test to see if your feet can feel properly. It involves your doctor brushing a soft piece of nylon along different areas of your feet as you keep your eyes closed and say yes every time you think you feel it.
If you have diabetes, your doctor will likely perform this test at least once a year to catch nerve problems early and help stop them from getting worse. They may also suggest that you meet with a foot doctor . If your doctor thinks you really do have nerve damage, they could ask you to have additional tests done to see how serious it is, but these tend to be more invasive and are not recommended on a regular basis.