Foot Care Guidelines

Foot Care Guidelines

FOOT CARE GUIDELINES

Curative Health Services,
Inc., a wound care specialty company, has produced an informative pamphlet about
caring for your feet. If you are facing diabetogenic circulatory damage ("progressive
venous insufficiency"), or dealing with wounds or infections on your feet,
the following is good advice! As diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic
foot and leg amputations, this is especially valid for us. Prevention of complications
is always a good start.
Guidelines for Patients With Venous
Insufficiency or Wounds (c 1997 Curative Health Services, Inc.)
Give Your Legs a Rest
Elevate your feet above your heart while
sleeping and at regular times during the day (elevate foot of bed or mattress).
Avoid work that requires you to stand or sit with your feet on the ground for
long periods. Change positions frequently. Take walks to help leg muscles "pump"
fluid out of your legs.
Give Your Legs Support
Wear professionally made support stockings
that apply pressure from ankle to knee or other compression devices (your doctor
can help you choose the kind that is right for you and send you to a professional
who will properly measure your legs for stocking size). Have at least two pairs
of support stockings available so you can change them daily. After laundering,
hang them up to dry. Do not put them in a dryer. Always put on support stockings
early in the morning before fluid pools in lower legs. Wear support stockings
all day and then remove in the evening when going to sleep. Buy new stockings
every 6 months so their strength doesn't wear out.
Avoid ACE bandages. It is extremely
difficult to wrap them properly to provide the pressure you need.
If your doctor has prescribed the use
of a compression pump, follow the instructions completely. It may take a little
time to adjust to the pumping procedure.
Take Care of Your Skin
Make sure to wash your lower legs and
feet regularly with mild soap and water. This will help to avoid a build-up
of lotion. Do not soak your feet. Use moisturizing creams and emollients after
washing. It is important not to use petroleum or lanolin based creams when wearing
stockings which contain latex. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest appropriate
brands.
Be particularly careful to avoid activities
that are likely to cause injury to legs or feet. Prevention is very important.

Watch for Skin Changes
Pay particular attention to signs of
progressive venous insufficiency:
* SWELLING that does not go away quickly
when you lie down.
* DISCOLORATION, especially brownish
skin discoloration around ankles and lower legs.
* DRYNESS AND/OR ITCHING in the same
areas.
* ANY WOUND OR BRUISE that doesn't go
away within a week.
If Your Wound Doesn't Heal in 1 Week...
Don't put off seeing your doctor. Any
wound that doesn't heal in a week should be seen by your physician. Remember
you are a vital part of your treatment program and it is essential that you
faithfully follow all medical directions. Always consult your physician before
making any change to your healthcare routine, if you have questions or if your
symptoms are becoming worse.
Guidelines:
If you have a wound...
* KEEP IT CLEAN. Keep minor wounds clean
and protected with a bandage.
* AVOID strong antiseptics. Many antiseptics
such as hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine (Betadine) and sodium hypochlorite
(Dakin's solution) can damage skin and interfere with healing.
* DON'T stop wearing support stockings
during your daily activities. If it is difficult to wear them over the bandage,
put on a knee length nylon stocking first and wear the support stocking over
it.
* WATCH the wound carefully. You will
need to describe any changes to your doctor. Remember that any wound may turn
into a chronic wound and early treatment has been shown to be beneficial.
(Pamphlet reprinted with permission.
For more information, contact Curative Health Services, Inc., 14 Research Way,
Box 9052, East Setauket, NY 11733-9052; telephone: 1-800-991-4325; website:
http://www.curative.com)