- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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May 13, 2009
Blog: Diabetes foot care
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Warmer weather is here, and many of you will be kicking off your shoes at home, at the beach or in the park. But is that a good thing?
The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you may not notice a pebble in your shoe, so that you could develop a blister, then a sore, then a stubborn infection that might cause you to lose a foot or leg to amputation.
The American Diabetes Association provides some diabetes foot care tips to follow to keep your feet healthy:
- Take care of your diabetes. Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in target range.
- Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you can't see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
- Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.
- Ask your doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes.
- Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
- Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
- If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.
- Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
- Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.
- Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for five minutes, two or three times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time. Don't smoke.
Begin taking good care of your feet today. Set a time every day to check your feet. And let us know if you have any other tips.
- Peggy
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