Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetic patients should make podiatric health a top priority in their lives. Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects multiple sites of the body, including your feet and lower extremities.
Two common systems that are affected in the feet are the Nervous and Vascular. Diabetes can damage the nerves of the body that can lead to burning, tingling and even numbness of the feet. This is called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy may lead to the development of ulcerations or wounds to the feet because cuts, lesions and irritations can go unnoticed due to the diminished sensation to the feet. Wounds to the feet are dangerous and may lead to serious limb and life threatening infections.
Diabetes may also affect the blood flow going to the foot. Diminished blood flow makes even the smallest cuts, sores, or wounds difficult to heal. This can also lead to loss of tissue and even limbs if the progression is severe.
Here are some helpful tips if you are a diabetic:
- Inspection: Perform daily foot checks. This can either be done by having a friend or family member look at all areas of your feet. If you are by yourself, place a large handheld mirror on the floor and check the bottom of the feet this way.
- Moisturize your feet daily to avoid itching and cracking of the skin.
- Shoes: Wear supportive shoes at all times and minimize barefoot walking. Always inspect your shoes prior to putting them on to look for foreign objects that may irritate or cause harm to your feet. Make sure you wear appropriate shoe gear for each season. In the Winter, make sure you wear warm socks and waterproof shoes to prevent frostbite. Your doctor may recommend diabetic shoes if you have certain risk factors.
- Applying Heat: Never use heating pads, electric blankets or blow-dryers to warm your feet. These can create burns to the feet without you noticing. Do not place your feet in hot water without first testing the temperature with your hand.
- Medical: Monitor your blood glucose levels routinely and let your primary care physician know if they get elevated. Let your podiatrist know if you begin to experience any burning, tingling, numbness, or changes in the appearance of your feet. Avoid smoking because this decreases blood flow to your feet. Getting proper daily nutrition and exercising are also part of living a healthier diabetic lifestyle.
- Exams: Make sure you get periodic or routine foot exams by a podiatrist to prevent complications. Having routine care by a podiatrist can prevent and reduce the risk of diabetic foot complications like infections and amputations. Having your foot doctor treat any toenail issues or calluses immediately is highly recommended. Studies have shown that up to 80% of all amputations can be preventable by well-provisioned care.
Following these tips for caring for diabetic feet can end up saving a limb.
FASMA Doctors Performing This Specialty / Service
Locations
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Silver Spring, MD (Fenton)
8630 Fenton Street Suite 324
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-587-5666
Fax: 301-589-4479
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Washington, DC (1775 K Street)
1775 K Street NW Suite 580
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-331-9727
Fax: 202-887-0741
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Chapel Hill, NC
1506 E. Franklin Street Suite 104
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919-960-8858
Fax: 919-960-2882
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Charlottesville, VA (Abbey Road)
2050 Abbey Road Suite C
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Phone: 434-295-4443
Fax: 434-295-8598
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Culpeper, VA
530 Sunset Lane Suite A
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540-825-6113
Fax: 540-825-4937
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Frederick, MD (Thomas Johnson Drive)
63 Thomas Johnson Dr Suite C
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301-696-0818
Fax: 301-696-8872
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Washington, DC (19th Street)
1145 19th Street NW Suite 605
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-833-9109
Fax: 202-833-5762
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Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson
2126B N Hwy 81
Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: (864) 231-6395
Fax: (864) 231-6520
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Manassas, VA
8577A Sudley Rd
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 368-7166
Fax: (703) 368-5103
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Reston, VA (Reston Pkwy)
1760 Reston Pkwy., Ste 310
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: (703) 723-2719
Fax: (866) 453-6775
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Mt Airy, MD (South)
1502 S. Main Street Suite 307
Mt Airy, MD 21771
Phone: 301-829-2244
Fax: 833-915-0243
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Charlotte, NC (South Park)
6831 Fairview Road A
Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: 704-376-3947
Fax: 704-376-9487
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Holly Springs, NC
1004 Werrington Drive, Ste. 300
Holly Springs, NC 27540
Phone: 919-850-9111
Fax: 919-850-2499
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Raleigh, NC (Wake Forest Rd)
3801 Wake Forest Rd Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919-850-9111
Fax: 919-850-2499
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Charlottesville, VA (Rio East Ct)
887 Rio East Ct. Suite A
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 434-979-8116
Fax: 434-979-8880
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Fishersville, VA
66 Parkway Lane Suite 102
Fishersville, VA 22939
Phone: 540-949-5150
Fax: 540-932-8535
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Ashburn, VA
20905 Professional Plaza, Ste 310
Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: (703) 723-9267
Fax: (866) 453-6775
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McLean, VA
1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 403
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: (703) 556-8637
Fax: (866) 453-6775
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Reston, VA (Hospital Campus)
1860 Town Center Drive Suite 220
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 703-391-0211
Fax: 703-880-1192
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Gastonia
251 Wilmot Dr
Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: 704-861-0425
Fax: 704-861-0274
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Alpine Podiatry – Rock Hill
430 S. Herlong Avenue, Suite 105
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Phone: (803) 327-2217
Fax: (803) 327-2272
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Cary, NC
103 Parkway Office Court Suite 100
Cary, NC 27518
Phone: 919-481-3338
Fax: 919-467-2436
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Dunn, NC
700 Tilghman Drive Suite 722
Dunn, NC 28334
Phone: 910-892-3338
Fax: 910-892-2706
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Lake Ridge, VA
1721 Financial Loop
Lake Ridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 491-9500
Fax: (703) 491-9994
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Stafford, VA
945 Garrisonville Road
Stafford, VA 22554
Phone: (540) 720-0700
Fax: (540) 720-4449
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Henderson, NC
451 Ruin Creek Road Suite 202
Henderson, NC 27536
Phone: 252-438-4426
Fax: 252-430-1709
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Rockville, MD (North Bethesda)
11801 Rockville Pike Suite 105
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-881-6222
Fax: 301-881-1639
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Kensington, MD
10901 Connecticut Avenue Suite 200
Kensington, MD 20895
Phone: 301-949-2000
Fax: 301-949-2002
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Rockville, MD (Shady Grove Rd)
15215 Shady Grove Rd Suite 307
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 240-268-7450
Fax: 301-949-8833
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Chevy Chase, MD
5530 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 945
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Phone: 301-913-5225
Fax: 301-913-9145
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Silver Spring, MD (International Drive)
3801 International Drive Suite 204
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Phone: 301-598-0130
Fax: 301-598-5091
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Apex, NC
1001 Pemberton Hill Road Suite 102
Apex, NC 27502
Phone: 919-363-3310
Fax: 919-363-3370
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Concord, NC
492 Copperfield Blvd NE
Concord, NC 28025
Phone: 704-788-9797
Fax: 704-788-6830
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University, NC
8310 Medical Plaza Drive Suite E
Charlotte, NC 28262
Phone: 704-548-0222
Fax: 704-548-1157
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Ballantyne, NC
9216 Ardrey Kell Road Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704-544-6517
Fax: 704-544-2988
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Frederick, MD (Solarex Ct)
604 Solarex Court Suite 103
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 301-698-9260
Fax: 301-698-8962
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Greencastle, PA
50 Eastern Ave Suite 122
Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: 717-643-0795
Fax: 717-643-0833
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Hagerstown, MD
11110 Medical Campus Road Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Phone: 301-739-1575
Fax: 301-739-1578
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Gettysburg, PA
506 W. Middle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-778-3338
Fax: 717-778-3340
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Wake Foot & Ankle – Wake Forest
833C Wake Forest Business Park
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Phone: 919-230-7233
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Alleghany, VA
1 ARH Lane Suite 101
Low Moor, VA 24457
Phone: 540-344-3668
Fax: 540-774-4615
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Roanoke, VA
222 Walnut Avenue SW
Roanoke , VA 24016
Phone: 540-344-3668
Fax: 540-343-2457
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Salem, VA
1802 Braeburn Drive Suite A2130
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-344-3668
Fax: 540-774-4615
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Charlotte, NC (Pineville)
10370 Park Rd. #100
Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: 704-542-8253
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Private: Benson, NC
1 Medical Drive
Benson, NC 27504
Phone: 919-363-3310
Fax: 919-363-3370
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Matthews, NC
534 West John St. Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
Phone: 704-847-9788
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Waxhaw, NC
323 N. Broome St.
Waxhaw, NC 28173
Phone: 704-847-9788
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Lincolnton, NC
626 Clark Dr.
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: 704-847-9788
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Harrisburg, NC
3800 Highway 49 South
Harrisburg, NC 28075
Phone: 704-455-2999
Fax: 704-455-1624
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Columbia, MD
11055 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 204
Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: 410-730-2623
Fax: 410-992-4779
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Fairfax, VA (Hamaker Court)
3020 Hamaker Court Suite 201
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-207-0073
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Annapolis, MD
129 Lubrano Drive Suite 303
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-266-7575
Fax: 410-266-7366
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Colonial Heights, VA
4720 Puddledock Road Suite 120
Prince George, VA 23875
Phone: 804-320-3668
Fax: 844-468-5770
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Richmond, VA
1465 Johnston Willis Drive
Richmond, VA 23235
Phone: 804-320-3668
Fax: 844-468-5770
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Pasadena, MD
8155 Ritchie Highway Suite B
Pasadena, MD 21122
Phone: 410-768-5800
Fax: 410-768-5806
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Clarksville, MD
6100 Day Long Lane Suite 208
Clarksville, MD 21029
Phone: 443-535-8770
Fax: 443-535-8775
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Alpine Podiatry – Fort Mill
105 Ben Casey Drive, Suite 133
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Phone: (803) 396-8670
Fax: (803) 396-8657
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Huntersville, NC
16419 Northcross Dr Suite A
Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: 704-987-9585
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Harrisburg, PA
4033 Linglestown Road Suite 1
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717-651-0000
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Hampton, VA
2210 Executive Drive Suite E
Hampton, VA 23666
Phone: 757-896-8800
Fax: 757-896-8832
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Newport News, VA
754 McGuire Place
Newport News, VA 23601
Phone: 757-599-5710
Fax: 757-591-0552
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Greenbelt, MD
7501 Greenway Center Dr Suite 810
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-577-4464
Fax: 301-577-4702
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Mountain Island, NC
10310 Couloak Drive Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: 704-971-4000
Fax: 704-971-2379
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Mechanicsburg, PA
2025 Technology Parkway Suite 201
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Phone: 717-651-0000
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Gaithersburg, MD
702 Russell Avenue, Suite 103 PNC Bank Building
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: (301) 948-3668
Fax: (301) 926-7787
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Newport, PA
300 Bretz Ct
Newport, PA 17074
Phone: 717-651-0000
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Martinsville, VA
1 Dudley Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: 540-344-3668
Fax: 540-774-4615