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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for category: Diabetic Foot Care

November 01, 2021
Category: Diabetic Foot Care

We at Feet First Foot Care Specialists would like to share some startling statistics with our Middlesex County patients about diabetes. Over 34 million adults in the U.S. currently have diabetes. Even more staggering, the most recent statistics show that 88 million have prediabetes, with 1.5 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year. November is American Diabetes Month and a good time to find out how to turn that tide for yourself and your loved ones against this disease that hurts your feet and the rest of your body.

Reducing Risk Factors for Diabetes

When it comes to diabetes, some factors raise your risk that you cannot control, but many that you can. Consider the ones listed below and start making healthier lifestyle choices today.

Smoking—Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your body. It impedes circulation, slows healing, and raises your bad cholesterol and blood pressure, all of which are associated with diabetes. Quitting is hard! Some tips:

  • Focus on all the benefits you’ll get from stopping smoking. Write them down and be as specific as possible (i.e., my clothes and furniture will no longer smell, and I’ll be able to run after my grandchildren without getting out of breath).
  • Set a date to quit.
  • Enlist the help and support of friends and family.
  • Talk to your doctor and choose a program. There is a wide range of options, from cold turkey to using a nicotine patch to hypnosis. Find what works for you.

Overweight—Carrying excess weight increases your chances of getting diabetes and having a heart attack or stroke. Small changes can result in considerable weight loss, and even 10-15 pounds can significantly decrease your risk. Try:

  • Increase the number of healthy foods you eat, such as vegetables, fruits, salads, whole-grain bread, and starches. It will help you feel less hungry and naturally decrease your caloric intake.
  • Strive to be more active. Get a pedometer or step counter and set a minimum goal for each day.
  • Make healthy swaps—just pick one: seltzer for sugary soda, low-fat dairy for full fat, frozen yogurt for ice cream.
  • Stay accountable—weigh yourself at least once a week.

High Blood Pressure—Two out of three people with diabetes also report having high blood pressure. Manage high blood pressure by:

  • Reducing your sodium intake.
  • Limiting alcohol consumption.
  • Learning new ways to manage stress—choose one that’s a physical activity, and it will also help you maintain a healthy weight (another way to reduce blood pressure).

If you are concerned with your risk of developing diabetes, contact our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499  and talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 16, 2020
Category: Diabetic Foot Care

For our Middlesex County patients with diabetes, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists know that even minor cuts or common conditions like athlete’s foot can prove dangerous. Diabetes limits blood flow to the legs and feet, making it harder for wounds and infections to heal. Nerve damage (or neuropathy), often associated with diabetes as well, can reduce feeling in your feet and increase the likelihood of an injury or infection going unnoticed. With proper care, however, you can greatly reduce the risk of harmful foot problems from diabetes.

Follow the do’s and don’ts below to keep diabetic feet healthy:

Do: remember, your podiatrist is your partner in diabetic foot care. Talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, about the best ways to be proactive about your foot health. Schedule regular podiatric checkups and report anything unusual—skin rashes, bumps, bruises, cuts that seem slow to heal, etc.—as soon as you notice them.

Don’t: Expose your feet to open flames or space heaters. Avoid electric blankets and check the temperature of bathwater with your hand or arm before stepping in. Neuropathy may impede your ability to perceive heat accurately.

Don’t: wear shoes that are too tight in the toe box or rub at the heel. It’s also best not to wear footwear made of rigid, stiff material. All of these can cause blisters to form or exacerbate toe deformities like bunions and hammertoes.

Do: keep toenails trimmed appropriately. Cut straight across, not too short, and with no rounded edges. This will help prevent ingrown toenails from developing.

Do: make healthy lifestyle choices that will enable you to control your diabetes better. These may include a regular exercise routine, a healthy meal plan, and managing other health conditions that may be related to diabetes, such as hypertension.

Don’t: smoke. It impedes circulation.

Do: keep feet dry. Change socks at the first sign they feel damp. Sitting in moist socks can lead to blisters and fungal infections.

Don’t: attempt any “self-doctoring.” Do not try to file down or remove corns or calluses on your own. Do not use medicated pads or other products designed to eliminate warts. These can cause injury or harm to your feet, which is particularly dangerous if you have diabetes. Instead, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 and let the podiatrist handle.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 15, 2020
Category: Diabetic Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that our Middlesex County patients are ready to enjoy some summer fun after months of being stuck inside with the coronavirus pandemic. One particular part of our patient population, however, that needs to take extra precautions to protect their feet during the summer months is people with diabetes. Neuropathy (or nerve damage) is a common condition associated with diabetes that can decrease your ability to accurately perceive pain, itchiness, and other sensations in your feet that would signal a potential injury or problem.

Here are four podiatric problems to look out for that have an increased risk during the summer months.

  1. Sunburn—people often forget about their feet when it comes to sun exposure. If you are wearing sandals or other open-style shoes that expose the skin on your feet, it’s essential that you apply sunscreen even if you are only going out for a short while to shop or walk the dog. When spending time at the pool or beach, remember to be generous with the sunscreen on the tops and soles of your feet and reapply every time you go in the water.

  2. Blisters—excessive perspiration increases the friction between feet and footwear and raises the risk for blisters to form. Watch for signs of redness in places where straps rub on your heel or forefoot and also the space between your toes if you are wearing flip-flops. Carrying a piece of moleskin with you and apply to any area that feels sore or looks like it’s getting red.

  3. Fungal Infections—summer brings more opportunities for people to walk barefoot. This greatly increases the risk for transmitting fungal toenails, athlete’s foot, and other infections which are spread by direct contact. Keep your feet covered if you have diabetes. This will also help protect against cuts and puncture wounds.

  4. Corns—if you have a bunion, hammertoe, or other deformities, you could be in danger of developing corns on parts of your toes or feet that have increased pressure from your shoes. With the switch over to summer styles, check frequently to be sure no damage is being done to the skin on your feet.

Inspecting your feet daily is the best way to detect a foot problem before it develops into a potential medical threat. If you notice anything unusual or concerning, don’t hesitate to contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 to make an appointment with our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to caring for your feet if you have diabetes.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 19, 2019
Category: Diabetic Foot Care

Did you know that over 30 million Americans have diabetes and that, of that number, over 7 million don’t even know it yet? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our patients to be informed about this disease which can have devastating effects on your feet.

Here are some facts about diabetes and your feet that everyone should know:

FACT: Neuropathy and decreased circulation are two conditions commonly associated with diabetes. They spell havoc for your feet because the neuropathy (or nerve damage) can make it difficult to detect an injury or other condition that’s hurting your foot. Also, poor circulation can slow the healing process. This is why patients with diabetes are more prone to ulcers and wounds that lead to infections and, in the worst-case scenario, amputation.

FACT: Some early signs of diabetes may include: numbness in your toes or feet, changes in the color of your skin, wounds that seem slow to heal, leg pain, calluses or corns that are bleeding and cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.

FACT: Frequent self-examination of your feet can reveal the symptoms of diabetes and other foot problems in their earliest stages. If you suspect any problems, it’s important that you contact our Cromwell office for an appointment with our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas to have your symptoms checked out.

FACT: If you are diagnosed with diabetes, the podiatrist will become a member of your care team and work to help keep your feet healthy and prevent serious diabetic complications.

FACT: There are many ways to help keep diabetes under control and live a normal and active life. Some of these include:

  • Losing weight if you are obese or maintaining a healthy weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Eating a nutritious diet
  • Quitting smoking

If you believe you are experiencing any possible diabetes symptoms or have questions about your level of risk for developing this disease, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 05, 2019
Category: Diabetic Foot Care
Tags: diabetes   Athlete's foot   blisters   warts  

If you have diabetes, you are probably already aware of the importance of being proactive in the care of your feet. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are your partner in helping you maintain good foot health.

Below are 5 recommendations to help avoid potentially dangerous podiatric problems for patients with diabetes:

  1. Manage your diabetes. Follow all your doctor’s instructions for keeping your blood sugar levels where they should be. This, in turn, will lessen the problems associated with the disease that can negatively impact the health of your feet.
  2. Avoid walking barefoot. Even in your own home, it’s easy to step on a pin or sharp object and cut your foot. Loss of sensation (or neuropathy), which is often a symptom of diabetes, can make it difficult to detect an injury on the bottom of the foot until it has become infected.
  3. Inspect your feet regularly. Common foot conditions such as athlete’s foot, warts and blisters can result in big problems for those with diabetes. Circulation difficulties and immune system dysfunction often associated with diabetes means that foot conditions and injuries can be difficult to treat. An infection can have very serious consequences. Look for any signs of injury or unusual changes in your toes, feet and ankles. If you find anything suspicious, contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your foot and head off any potential problems.
  4. Wear good shoes. Choose styles with a cushioned sole and slip-proof tread. Be sure the toe box is wide enough to avoid squeezing toes together. Check the material inside the shoe to be sure there are no rough spots that could create friction and cause a blister on the skin.
  5. Do not expose your feet to direct heat. You should also not use electric blankets or foot warmers. You may not be able to accurately gauge how hot the temperature is and could burn your feet.

If you have questions regarding the best ways to care for your feet if you have diabetes, contact us today.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416