Diabetic foot care is important!

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications/foot-care.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

• Take care of your diabetes. Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in your target range.
• Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.
• Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.
• Ask your doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes.
• Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
• Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes. Read more about skin care.
• If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.
• Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
• Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.
• Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, two (2) or three (3) times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time. Don't smoke.
• Get started now. Begin taking good care of your feet today.  Set a time every day to check your feet.

Don't let toenail fungus ruin your summertime sandal wearing

Summertime is here and that means it is time to break out the sandals and enjoy the heat!

But for some, summertime means that it is still time to keep those puppies cooped up in their shoes because of their embarrassment from the unsightliness of toenail fungus. So, what's the answer, wear shoes forever? Not necessarily.

Toenail fungus, known in the science and medical world as: onychomycosis, is a very stubborn toenail infection from any number of different types of fungi. Onychomycosis can also lead to skin infections like athlete's foot.

The safest form of treatment of onychomycosis is the use of topical medication. There are several FDA approved topical medications available. Most are to be applied once daily but they need to be used for close to one year. Patient compliance is sometimes poor, as people tend to get tired of applying medication to their toenails for months on end.

Oral medication is the old time gold standard for treating onychomycosis. Usually taken once daily for three months, the oral medication has a higher cure rate than the topical medication. However, blood work does need to be taken to make sure that the oral medication does not adversely affect the liver.

Laser treatment of the toenails is the newest form of killing toenail fungus. The treatments are painless and usually only take a few minutes.

If you have some unsightly toenail problems, don't let it keep you from enjoying your designated sandal season....come in to see Dr. Zimmermann!

Zimmermann Podiatry
Erik Zimmermann, DPM
923 W. Dixie Ave, Suite B
Leesburg, FL 34748
(352) 435-7849
www.drzpodiatry.com