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Dr. Brandon Macy
Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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By Clark Podiatry Center
November 15, 2017
Category: Diabetic Foot Care
Tags: diabetes   APMA   children   legs and feet  

Your child has just been diagnosed with diabetes. While it can be a lot to take in, it may also not be as bad as you think. Children can adapt pretty well, as long as parents are well-informed and can help them make adjustments along the way. There are some important lifestyle changes to make, however, and we’ll give you some tips on keeping your diabetic child safe and healthy.

First off, what are diabetic foot ulcers?

According to the APMA, “A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot”. For some diabetics, uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can damage nerves. Nerve damage tends to happen in the legs and feet, which leads to loss of sensation (diabetic neuropathy), poor circulation, and slow healing. That’s why even a small cut or blister can become a difficult-to-heal ulcer.

What are preventative measures to take?    

Unless your child has already begun to experience a loss of sensation in the feet or poor circulation, he or she should be able to do everything normally. The following are tips for preventing diabetic foot ulcers:

  • Lead a healthy lifestyle including nutritious food and regular physical activity. Keeping blood sugar levels at bay, and working off consumed sugar are healthy for proper insulin function. Stay on top of blood sugar levels with glucose tests and regular medication. Not only will your child feel better on a daily basis, it will also prevent complications down the road.
  • Wear proper footwear. Children should always wear the correct sized-shoes, not ones that are too tight or too big. This will cause foot problems like blisters, corns, and calluses, as well as risk injury from tripping.
  • Check their feet every day. Sometimes, the first sign of diabetic neuropathy is a cut or scrape that won’t heal. Treat any sores or wounds promptly and keep foot hygiene a priority.
  • Make sure to take your children to their annual podiatry visits so that our podiatrists can keep their feet safe and healthy.

For children who do have a loss of sensation and poor circulation, it’s safest if they wear shoes at all times and check their feet at least once a day. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy can assess your children’s feet and give them the treatment they need. Come see him at The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office

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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470