Diabetic Foot Care
-
- Tweet
Volusia County Podiatry
DeAndrea Duffus, DPM
Podiatry located in Debary, FL
Diabetic foot care at Volusia County Podiatry provides comprehensive support, from education to wound care, in the Debary, Florida, office. Experienced podiatrist DeAndrea Duffus, DPM, is a diabetic foot care expert with specialized training in wound care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and other advanced methods of healing damaged feet. Book an appointment online or by phone today.
Diabetic Foot Care Q & A
Who needs diabetic foot care?
All people with diabetes need diabetic foot care. Because high blood sugar causes nerve damage and circulation problems, foot problems are prevalent among diabetics.
Nerve damage
Up to 70% of people with diabetes have moderate-to-severe nerve damage or neuropathy. Nerve damage causes numbness in your feet and may also cause issues like sporadic tingling or prickling.
Numbness can cause difficulty walking and may increase the risk of stumbling or falls. You might not feel an injury on the bottom of your foot because of the numbness.
Circulation problems
People with diabetes frequently experience blood vessel narrowing, especially in the lower extremities far away from the heart. The blood vessel narrowing causes lower blood circulation in your feet, making healing very slow and difficult.
With the combination of neuropathy and circulation problems, even a reasonably small wound such as a puncture or cut can quickly worsen into an open sore that threatens your foot health. Ingrown toenails can become very serious when you have diabetes.
Even problems like corns and calluses, which generally aren't serious, can become dangerous non-healing ulcers if you have diabetes.
Diabetic foot care helps diagnose, treat, and manage these issues before they grow severe enough to require amputation.
What does diabetic foot care involve?
At Volusia County Podiatry, Dr. Duffus provides complete diabetic foot care, including:
- Foot health checkups
- Nerve and vascular tests
- Toenail trimming
- Callus and corn removal
- Ingrown toenail treatment
- Foot ulcer prevention
- Wound care - debridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and other methods
- Infection treatment
- Prescription diabetic shoes
- Custom orthotics
Along with foot care, Dr. Duffus provides the education you need to maintain healthy feet between your appointments. She can also coordinate with your primary care physician or endocrinologist to ensure you have the best head-to-toe diabetes management.
When should I schedule diabetic foot care exams?
Book an exam as soon as you're diagnosed with diabetes. After that, Dr. Duffus typically recommends twice-yearly checkups for well-controlled diabetes. If you have diabetic foot ulcers or a history of infections, you may need more regular diabetic foot care.
If you need diabetic foot care, call Volusia County Podiatry or schedule an appointment today.
