At the Blessing Diabetes Center, we provide comprehensive foot care education and treatment to keep patients moving as fast as they see fit.

Diabetes Foot Care: What You Should Know

People with diabetes are susceptible to problems stemming from open wounds. Here’s why foot care is so critical for diabetes management:

  • Foot ulcers are common: If you have diabetes, you are at risk for developing a foot ulcer. Up to 15 percent of people experience these ulcers, commonly found on the bottom of the feet. Learn more about diabetic foot ulcers.

  • Diabetes can complicate healing: These ulcers, and any open wounds, can be particularly problematic for people with diabetes for several reasons:

    • Nerve damage, or neuropathy: This condition, common in people with diabetes, can lead to numbness in your feet. That means you may feel no pain from an ulcer. If you do not check your feet regularly, the wound could go undetected and worsen.

    • Slower healing: Uncontrolled diabetes can also make it harder for your body to heal wounds.

    • Increased risk of infection: When blood glucose rates are consistently high, or uncontrolled, it reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. This can further complicate wound treatment.

Diabetes Wound Care Treatment

The worse a wound gets, the harder it is to treat. If left untreated, limb amputation may be a last resort. Our expert specialists work to avoid this option whenever possible. You can help ensure a successful result by:

  • Seeking treatment early: Early treatment is essential. If you have had a wound that is not healed in 30 days, seek the care of a wound specialist. Learn more about Blessing’s Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center.

  • Getting all wounds evaluated by a wound specialist: If you notice an open wound on your foot, see your doctor for a thorough evaluation. We can successfully treat the vast majority of diabetic foot ulcers when we catch them early.

Diabetes Foot Care Tips

Specialists at Blessing’s Diabetes Center and Wound Care Center educate patients on the importance of regular foot care. Instilling these habits today can often prevent problems in the future:

  • Inspect your feet daily: Look for redness, blisters, swelling or anything that causes you concern. If you have trouble seeing the bottom of your feet, use a mirror.

  • Practice good hygiene: Wash your feet daily. Make sure you are drying them completely to help avoid infection.

  • Get regular foot checks from your doctor: If you have diabetes, your doctor should inspect your feet at least once a year—more often if you have trouble controlling your blood sugar. The Blessing Diabetes Center offers regular podiatry clinics where doctors evaluate patients’ feet to stay on top of potential problems.

  • Keep diabetes in check: Controlling your blood sugar levels reduces your risk of foot problems. If you do develop a foot ulcer or other wound, treatment will be more successful if you are effectively managing diabetes. If you are having trouble keeping your blood sugar within normal levels, learn more about managing Type 2 diabetes.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment or refer a patient to the Blessing Diabetes Center, please call (217) 223-8400, ext. 5900. For an appointment with Blessing’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, please call (217) 228-5535.