Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) & Prevention Starting with Feet

To avoid foot complications, people with Peripheral Vascular Disease should follow these precautions:

Wash Your Feet Daily

Wash your feet every day, even twice a day, with warm water. Do not use hot water. Use mild soap and don’t forget to dry your feet gently and well, including between your toes.

Moisturize the Skin

In the presence of PVD your feet tend to be drier. It is important to keep the skin of your feet soft and smooth to avoid infections. Apply lotion after cleaning your feet. Consult your Doctor of Podiatric Medicine to make sure you are using the appropriate lotion for your condition.

Do Not Go Barefoot

Avoid going barefoot on beaches, parks, grass, even in your own house. Getting small cuts or abrasions might be a huge problem for patients with PVD due to their susceptibility to infection.

Choose the Right Shoes

Make sure your shoes fit well and are comfortable. When buying new shoes, measure both feet and choose the size of the biggest foot. Wear your new shoes for just a couple of hours initially to avoid blisters and always check your feet after taking your shoes off.

Trim Your Nails

Cut your toenails straight across. Cutting your toenails too short or cutting them in rounded shapes will give bacteria a chance to gather in the corners and cause infection.

Wear Socks

Try to always wear socks. These will help you to relieve pressure points in your shoes and keep your feet warm in cold temperatures.

Be Active and keep the blood flowing

Ask your doctors for the best activity or exercise according to your condition. Make sure you wear proper footwear when walking, bicycling or during any exercise. Put your feet up when sitting and try not to cross your legs. Wiggle feet and toes to increase blood flow and decrease pain.

Visit a Podiatrist

It is really important for people with PVD to visit a Podiatrist. They will assess your condition and offer you the best treatment to take care of your condition and to avoid future complications.