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8. Foot Care
Diabetes can cause poor foot circulation due to hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This means small cuts or sores can turn into nasty abscesses. If they progress unnoticed, they can turn into gangrene, which can result in amputation. This only happens when foot injuries are not treated promptly.
Diabetes also causes nerve damage, which can reduce sensation in the feet. This means if you have a sore, you may not be able to feel it. For these reasons you should examine your feet for sores daily.
Look for sores, swelling, redness or heat, which might be signs of an infection. Keep your nails short and wear protective, properly-fitting shoes. Moisturize daily, especially cracked heels, but not between the toes. Wash your feet daily and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. In addition, it’s important to get your feet checked by a doctor twice a year.
An insulin pump is a small device that delivers insulin into a diabetic's body. How does an insulin pump work? Find out here.
