Dealing with Neuropathy
The nerves in your feet and toes are known as peripheral nerves because of their location at the “periphery” of your body. When those nerves are damaged and don’t function properly, it’s known as neuropathy, a condition we at NY Foot Health know can be very detrimental to your podiatric health.
Dangers of Nerve Damage
If you have neuropathy, you may have abnormal sensations in your feet. They can feel like they’re burning or tingling. Neuropathy can also be painful. But most threatening is that you may have numbness or a lack of sensation in your feet entirely. It means that if you cut or injure your foot or a medical condition develops, you may not experience the sensations that would alert you that something is wrong. In this case, the problem could worsen to the point where it becomes critical before seeking treatment. One of the biggest causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Nerve damage also impedes circulation, and that means once a wound forms, it can be slow to heal, leading to infection and even amputation. Other potential causes of neuropathy include:
Aging—neuropathy is more common in older people
Heredity
Injury to the nerves
Neurological disorders—including spina bifida, fibromyalgia
Certain medications (including some chemotherapy drugs)
Alcoholism
Care Tips
Unfortunately, there’s no known cure for neuropathy. However, there is much you can do to slow the progression, treat the symptoms, and prevent serious complications from arising. If you’re diagnosed with neuropathy, below are some ways to care for your feet:
Inspect your feet thoroughly every day. If you cannot see your entire foot, ask someone else to do it for you. Look for signs of injury or infection, including cuts, bruises, redness, swelling, or rashes. If you see anything concerning, report it to your podiatrist right away. If you have neuropathy, you should have a podiatrist. Use our online directory to locate one in your area if you don't.
Avoid walking barefoot. Wear shoes or slippers with sturdy soles even when at home to avoid stepping on sharp objects or stubbing your toes.
Manage diabetes. If this is the source of your neuropathy, the better controlled your blood sugar is, the better controlled the neuropathy will be.
Schedule regular checkups with your podiatrist. The foot doctor will detect subtle changes in your feet that may indicate a potential problem and direct you on how to deal with uncomfortable symptoms caused by neuropathy.
To learn more ways to better care for your feet, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.