Diabetic Foot Care Specialist
Global Podiatry of NY & NJ
Diabetes causes changes in the skin, circulation, and nerves of the feet, increasing the risk of dangerous infections that can result in amputations.
At Global Podiatry of NY & NJ, Sergey Losyev, DPM, offers comprehensive diabetic foot care to help patients enjoy healthier feet and avoid serious complications. With offices located in the Bensenhurst and Midwood sections of Brooklyn, New York, and Morganville, New Jersey, getting the care you need is convenient. Call or request a consultation online.
Diabetic Foot Care Q & A
How does diabetes affect the feet?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes blood sugar (or glucose) to rise to unhealthy levels. Without proper management and control, elevated glucose levels can cause problems with circulation as well as nerve damage in the feet and ankles.
This nerve damage is called diabetic neuropathy. While it can affect nerves anywhere in your body, it’s most common in legs and feet. Neuropathy often results in diminished sensations, numbness, and sharp pains.
Decreased sensations make it more difficult to tell when an injury like a cut or ingrown toenail has occurred, enabling these conditions to progress and cause serious infections. There’s also a greater risk of falling.
Circulatory problems result in poor healing responses, which means you might develop slow-healing wounds. Slow-healing wounds increase the risk of infection and, in severe cases, may necessitate amputation of a toe or the entire foot.
What are the symptoms of diabetes-related foot problems?
People with diabetes often experience symptoms like:
- Numbness, tingling, stinging, pain, or burning sensations in the feet
- Skin changes, including changes in the texture and color of skin
- Feet that feel cold and are difficult to keep warm
- Fungal toenails
- Sores that are slow to heal
- Swelling in the feet as well as the ankles
- Cracked skin, especially around the heels
- Corns and calluses which may bleed or crack
These symptoms are usually more pronounced in people who have had the disease for a long period of time, as well as those whose blood sugar levels are poorly controlled.
What is diabetic foot care?
Diabetic foot care involves ongoing evaluation of the feet and ankles to look for signs of developing problems, as well as treatments aimed at preventing diabetes-related problems from occurring.
Dr. Losyev offers comprehensive foot care for diabetic neuropathy. Services include proper nail trimming, care for corns and calluses, and guidance for at-home care strategies.
To avoid serious foot and ankle issues and to decrease the risk of infection and amputation, people with diabetes should have a foot examination at least once each year, and call the office right away if any symptoms of foot problems develop.
Partner with Dr. Losyev at Global Podiatry of NY & NJ for your diabetic foot care needs. Call the office nearest you or request an appointment online.