It's important to take good care of your feet when you have diabetes. Board Certified Podiatrist Dr. Corinne Kauderer of Dyker Heights Advanced Foot & Dental Wellness in Brooklyn, New York offers a full range of podiatric services. Here are some reasons why diabetics need to take care of their feet.

1. Nerve Damage- High blood sugar from diabetes can cause neuropathy or nerve damage. Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. When that happens, it can be hard to tell when you have a problem, like a callus, sore, blister, or cut on your foot. You may not feel heat, cold, or pain in your feet and legs. You might not notice a foot injury until the skin becomes infected. Dr. Kauderer uses NIR-Near Infrared technology as well as prescription and natural oral vitamins to treat neuropathy.

2.  Poor Circulation- Diabetes affects the flow of blood. Poor circulation means not enough blood flows to the feet and legs through the blood vessels. Poor circulation makes it difficult for infections or sores to heal. This problem is called peripheral artery disease. Sometimes, infections never heal. Dr. Kauderer also does Doppler exams to check the circulation of patients. Prompt attention to a foot injury can prevent additional problems and complications and is good practice for diabetic foot care.

3. Foot Ulcers- If you have diabetes, you have an increased chance of developing foot ulcers. A foot ulcer is an open sore on the foot. Even though some foot ulcers are not painful, every ulcer should be seen by your podiatrist immediately. Neglecting a foot ulcer can result in an infection, which can potentially lead to loss of a limb.

Some steps you can take to prevent complications and issues is to examine your feet daily. You should wash and dry your feet daily, as well as wear comfortable shoes so that you don't develop a condition such as blisters, corns, calluses or bunions. It's important to contact Dr. Kauderer if you notice any symptoms or issues with your feet. If you take good care of your feet every day, you can reduce your risk of a small problem becoming worse.

If you have a diabetes-related foot problem and want to learn about diabetic foot care, who should you call? Call our Dyker Heights podiatrist Dr. Kauderer of Advanced Foot & Dental Wellness Center in Brooklyn, NY at 718-232-2100. Taking good care of your feet can prevent foot problems before they start!