Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes many health problems throughout the body, especially during the rainy season when diabetic patients are at risk of foot infections, so care should be taken to prevent potentially severe outcomes, including the loss of toes and feet.
Caring for Nails and Feet in Diabetic Patients
Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes problems in the body, such as eyes, kidneys, heart, arteries, etc. We can prevent various complications through diet control, exercise, medical consultations, and taking medication according to the doctor’s plan.
Another concern is the care of the nails and feet of diabetic patients. During this rainy season, frequent rainfall and wet, damp areas both inside and outside the house can lead to unawareness of stepping into water, sometimes into stagnant dirty water, causing nails and feet to get dirty without proper cleaning and drying. This can be one of the causes of infection and wounds in the nails and feet.
Complications with diabetic patients’ nails and feet are a significant concern leading to a loss of quality of life, especially due to the loss of fingers and feet, resulting from a group of symptoms caused by chronic complications in the nerves (Diabetic Neuropathy), leading to numbness and arterial insufficiency, restricting proper blood and oxygen flow to the extremities, causing wounds in the nails and feet.
Preventing Diabetic Patients’ Feet from Infections During Rainy Season
-
Avoid walking through water or mud during the rainy season. If necessary, wear boots or heel-covered shoes to prevent feet from getting wet.
-
Clean nails and feet with a mild soap, dry the feet thoroughly, especially between the toes to prevent moisture or fungal infection.
-
Inspect the areas between the toes, the back of the feet, and the soles for any abnormalities, and consult a doctor if any are found.
-
Trim nails straight across and keep them reasonably short, avoiding cutting into the corners to prevent ingrown toenails.
-
Diabetic patients, especially the elderly, should have a relative or a specialized nurse trim their nails because diabetics often experience reduced vision, which can lead to wounds on the nails and feet and the subsequent loss of fingers and feet.
