Do you have peripheral neuropathy? It’s a condition that impacts more than 30 million people in the United States. For people managing this sometimes-painful experience, there are a few habits that should be pushed to the side. Neuropathy is another way of describing nerve damage. If you have neuropathy, you may experience tingling or numbness in your hands or feet. You could also experience pain or even muscle weakness.

If you are new to receiving a diagnosis, the doctors at the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group are listing a few things you should stop doing now. As we treat patients with diabetes, we see this complication often. We want you to manage your neuropathy and find the best way to live life fully. Here are three behaviors to boot: 

Being barefoot inside or outside

Now is the time to stop walking barefoot. If you have neuropathy in your feet, you may be walking near danger without any clue. Nerve damage impacts our ability to detect when something is unsafe. Think of a hot sidewalk that could burn your feet. Imagine testing bath water without realizing it is dangerously hot.

  • Wear supportive shoes outside and non-slip slippers or socks inside

Forgetting about foot inspections

You could be missing a wound on the bottom of your foot. If your nerve damage is delaying your ability to detect pain or problems, a foot inspection is your first line of defense. Check your feet every day and look for scratches and bruises. When wounds go undetected, they could become infected.

  • Inspect your feet every day and keep your doctor posted

Missing your appointments

As podiatrists, we want to see how you are doing with nerve damage. Are things worsening? Are there ways we can help protect your feet from injuries or trauma? We encourage you to keep your appointments with us. Having a consistent check-in routine helps us to best manage your pain and discomfort.

  • It’s never too late to get on our schedule; contact us today

You are not alone if you have this condition. We hope you will add us to your care team. Together we can improve your quality of life.

At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we specialize in treating the following conditions: ankle and sports injuries, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care complications, children’s foot problems, skin conditions of the feet, and fungal nails. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in

the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.