Throughout your body, nerves send messages to and from your brain, communicating information about sensation and sending commands to muscles. If your nerves stop sending those messages, or sometimes don’t receive them adequately, you have neuropathy.
Foot neuropathy is one of the most common types of neuropathy. This condition may be inherited, and can also occur due to a physical trauma or an underlying medical condition like unmanaged diabetes. People living with foot neuropathy deal with foot pain, numbness, weakness, and an increased risk of infection. You may even start to find it difficult to stand or walk.
At Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Dr. Joseph DiMenna and our team provide expert care for foot neuropathy. In this blog, we share some of our top tips for managing your symptoms and maintaining your foot health and independence.
Don’t ignore your feet if you’re living with foot neuropathy. Instead, make foot care a regular part of your life. Keep your toenails trimmed, and moisturize both the tops and bottoms of your feet.
To manage your infection risks, keep your feet clean. You may not realize you have cracks or scrapes, so it’s best to wash your feet every day. Use soap and warm water. Take the time to scrub between your toes!
Gentle massage can improve circulation, and you can stimulate nerve sensation with massage, as well. Massage also relieves foot pain symptoms.
Bare feet are vulnerable to cuts, scrapes, and dirt, all of which can create infection. People living with foot neuropathy should avoid going barefoot, both outside and inside.
Your feet are more protected inside socks and shoes. But, if you have footwear that fits poorly, or socks that bunch up, you could develop blisters from rubbing and friction. Socks should fit loosely but comfortably, and shoes shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
You don’t want to restrict blood flow to your feet if you have foot neuropathy. Wearing overly tight socks, or sitting with your legs crossed for too long, can cause your condition to worsen. Wiggling your toes and moving your ankles every now and then encourages better blood flow.
Eating right helps you maintain a healthy body weight, taking pressure off your feet. Choose lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats for your snacks and meals. Watch out for foods that increase inflammation in your body. Drinking alcohol increases bodily inflammation, so keep your consumption minimal.
Even though you need to protect your feet, you also need to stay moving. Regular exercise benefits circulation, body weight, and more. Gentle activity options like walking, swimming, or bicycling may be right for you.
Smoking cigarettes may damage your circulation, worsening your neuropathy symptoms. Smoking cessation support is available.
Since your nerves may not let you know about developing foot problems, check yourself frequently, at least once a day. Look for cuts, abrasions, blisters, or swelling. If you notice any problems, contact the team at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey without delay.
For personalized foot neuropathy support, schedule your appointment by calling Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey at 856-667-8222 today.
