Foot Awareness Month

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month and a time when the experts at the Wound and Hyperbaric Center (W&HC) at Boone County Hospital (BCH) suggest people take a moment to stand up for their feet. Right now, 6.7 million Americans are living with a chronic wound, and more than two million of those are suffering from a diabetic foot ulcer.

The W&HC treats chronic foot and leg wounds that are often caused by underlying conditions such as diabetes and vascular disease. Are your feet at risk? Some of the primary risk factors for wounds of the feet include: neuropathy, deformity of the foot, history of foot ulceration, absent or diminished pulses, and prior amputation.

There are preventative measures everyone can take to improve foot health. The W&HC offers the following foot care tips:

• Check your feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, blisters, scores or other injuries daily.
• Wash your feet every day and dry them with care, especially between the toes.
• Trim your toenails as needed after you’ve washed and dried your feet.
• Wear properly fitting shoes that do not rub or pinch your feet.
• Always wear socks or stockings with your shoes, and never walk barefoot or while wearing just socks.
• Physical activity can help increase circulation in your feet. Consult your healthcare team to see which physical activity is right for you.

Take off your socks at your next check-up, and alert your doctor to any problems with your feet. The W&HC offers comprehensive wound care and leading-edge treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, and growth factor therapies.

For more information on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers or chronic or infected wounds, contact the BCH Wound and Hyperbaric Center at (515) 433-8740 or log on to www.boonehospital.com.