Can a podiatrist tell if you have diabetes?

All people with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist. This is important to detect problems early and to prevent ulcers and other complications. You may have heard it said that diabetes causes gangrene (dead, black tissue).

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What are the first signs of diabetes in feet?

Tingling, burning, or pain in your feet. Loss of sense of touch or ability to feel heat or cold very well. A change in the shape of your feet over time. Loss of hair on your toes, feet, and lower legs.

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What does podiatrist do for diabetes?

Podiatrists play a key role in the early detection and treatment of foot problems in people with diabetes. Neuropathy (nerve damage), arthropathy (joint damage), vasculopathy (blood vessel damage), and other complications can be avoided or delayed with annual comprehensive foot exams and treatment if needed.

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How do they check your feet for diabetes?

Your feet will be examined. Numbness or changes in sensation (also known as neuropathy) will be tested with a special piece of equipment. They'll also check your shoes to make sure they're not causing any problems. You'll also be asked lots of questions about your feet and how you manage your diabetes.

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What are red flags for diabetes foot?

changes in the colour and shape of your feet. cold or hot feet. blisters and cuts that you can see but don't feel. foul smell coming from an open wound.

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4 Questions to Ask Your Podiatrist If You Have Diabetes

19 related questions found

What is diabetic belly?

But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.

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What do diabetic legs look like?

Diabetic dermopathy

The spots look like red or brown round patches or lines in the skin and are common in people with diabetes. They appear on the front of your legs (your shins) and are often confused with age spots. The spots don't hurt, itch, or open up.

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What are 3 things you should never do to the feet of someone with diabetes?

Don'ts
  • 1 ) Don't use heating pads. Heating pads, electric blankets, hot water bottles, or even extremely hot baths can all be relaxing and soothing, but for someone with diabetes, they can be dangerous. ...
  • 2 ) Don't remove corns on your own. ...
  • 3 ) Get your feet wet in snow or rain.

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Why can't diabetics cut toenails?

People with diabetes can easily get wounds on their feet. Improper cutting or care of toenails and feet is the leading cause that could lead to toe finger and foot amputation.

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What are the 5 stages of diabetic foot?

Evaluation
  • Grade 0 - Foot symptoms like pain, only.
  • Grade 1 - Superficial ulcers involving skin and subcutaneous tissue.
  • Grade 2 - Deep ulcers involving ligaments, muscles, tendons, etc.
  • Grade 3 - Ulcer with bone involvement.
  • Grade 4 - Forefoot gangrene.
  • Grade 5 - Full-foot gangrene.

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Why can't diabetics get their feet done?

“Poor circulation can make your feet less able to fight infection. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling, so if you injure your foot you may not know it,” says Dr. Tsimikas said. “This makes cuts and nicks in the nail salon something you really want to avoid if you have diabetes.”

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Do podiatrist cut toenails for diabetics?

Maintain Regular Check-ups

While examining the feet of a diabetic, always be mindful to check for wounds or foot ulcers, which are common in diabetics. A trained podiatrist can not only trim the toenails professionally but will be diligent in spotting any other foot-related problems.

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Why can't diabetics soak their feet?

The extra moisture can lead to infection. Also, don't soak your feet—that can dry your skin. Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. This is because there are high-pressure areas under the foot.

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What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

Here are 10 subtle signs of diabetes:
  • Frequent urination. Most people urinate four to seven times in a day. ...
  • Excessive thirst. ...
  • Extreme hunger. ...
  • Weakness/fatigue. ...
  • Pins and needles. ...
  • Blurry vision. ...
  • Itchy skin. ...
  • Slow healing wounds and increased skin infections.

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What are the skin changes in diabetes?

Yellow Skin and Nails

It is common for patients with diabetes, particularly elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, to present with asymptomatic yellow discolorations of their skin or fingernails. These benign changes commonly involve the palms, soles, face, or the distal nail of the first toe.

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Are banana bad for diabetics?

Though bananas are higher in carbs and sugars than some foods, they also contain fiber and resistant starch that slows down the digestion and release of sugar into your bloodstream. These qualities make bananas a healthy, go-to snack for people with diabetes.

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Why is Epsom salt not good for diabetics?

Typically, epsom salt soaks are not recommended for people with diabetes. The primary reason is that such soaks can dry out the feet. When the skin is dry it is more vulnerable to cracking and chafing, which can lead to skin lesions and wounds, which if not properly attended to can lead to ulcerations.

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What does diabetic itching feel like?

What does diabetes itching feel like? If you have diabetes, itching can be intense. It's an irritating feeling that makes it hard not to scratch, but scratching can make the itch worse. You can itch anywhere, but if you have nerve damage (neuropathy) associated with diabetes, your lower legs may itch.

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What foods make diabetes worse?

10 foods to avoid if you have diabetes
  • Processed meats. ...
  • Full-fat dairy products. ...
  • Packaged snacks and processed baked goods. ...
  • White carbohydrates. ...
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  • Dried fruits. ...
  • French fries. ...
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat.

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Why can't diabetics take ibuprofen?

Patients of diabetes should be very cautious while consuming over-the-counter pain medications like Advil as these drugs are associated with a high risk of a coronary event. The increased risk for a heart disease in diabetics is further worsened if the patient consumes medications like Ibuprofen.

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Where do you itch if you have diabetes?

Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs.

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Do legs feel strange with diabetes?

Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands. It can also cause problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms.

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What do diabetic bumps look like?

Yellow, reddish, or brown patches on your skin

As it progresses, these bumps turn into patches of swollen and hard skin. The patches can be yellow, reddish, or brown. You may also notice: The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance.

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