Carmel Foot Specialists

Podiatrists in
Charlotte, NC (Pineville)

Patient Rating:
(4.8 out of 5 based on 301 Ratings)
10370 Park Rd. #100
Charlotte
, NC 28210
Map Us

Phone: 704-542-8253

Languages

  • English
Hours
Monday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Diabetes

 

Illustration of foot ulcer

People with diabetes can develop many different problems like:

  • Neuropathy
  • Skin Changes
  • Calluses
  • Foot Ulcers
  • Poor Circulation
  • Amputation

Below, we’ll go over each of these diabetic foot issues in detail.

Neuropathy:

Most often, people with diabetes can get nerve damage, or neuropathy, that causes tingling, pain (burning, or itching), or weakness in the foot.

Diabetic nerve damage can also lessen your ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Loss of feeling may not feel like a foot injury. Nerve damage can also lead to changes in the shape of your feet and toes.

Skin Changes:

  • Feet may become dry, peel, and crack
  • Nerve that controls the oil and moisture damaged
  • After bathing, dry and seal moisture with a thin coat of plain petroleum jelly, or unscented hand cream
  • No oils or creams between toes, can cause fungal infections
  • Don’t soak feet too long, can dry skin

Calluses:

  • Occurs often and builds up faster, especially in high pressure areas under foot. If you have too many calluses, you should wear therapeutic shoes and inserts
  • Calluses that are very thick can turn into ulcers (open sores) if not trimmed
  • Never cut yourself, can lead to ulcers and infection
  • Do not remove calluses and corns with chemical agents, can burn skin
  • Pumice stones will keep calluses under control, put lotion on after using pumice stone

Foot Ulcers:

  • Occurs on ball of foot or bottom of big toe. Healthcare provider checks every ulcer, can lead to infection if not. X-rays of foot to check for no bones infected, clean out dead tissues. Antibiotic will be prescribed after.
  • No walking, ulcers can get larger and infection can go deeper into foot. A special shoes, cast, or boot will be provided.
  • If ulcer is not healing, your circulation is poor and you will be referred to a vascular surgeon.

Poor Circulation:

  • Less able to fight infection and to heal
  • Diabetes causes blood vessels of the foot and leg to narrow and harden
  • Don’t smoke: makes arteries harden faster
  • Blood pressure and cholesterol must be controlled
  • For cold feet, wear warm socks
  • Pain in calves when walking fast, up a hill, or on a hard surface: Intermittent Claudication condition
  • Exercise is good for poor circulation: increases blood flow in the legs and feet
  • Walk in sturdy, good-fitting, comfortable shoes

Amputation:

  • Higher risk with diabetes: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) reduces blood flow, nerve damage reduces sensation
  • Together, ulcers and infections can lead to amputations
  • Preventable with regular care and proper footwear
  • Smoking is the worst thing to do with diabetes: affects small blood vessels, decreases blood flow to the feet, and makes wounds heal slowly

For more information on diabetic foot issues, give us a call today.

Myers Park Location