End Stage Renal Disease, Dialysis & Foot Health
End stage renal disease refers to a condition in which a person's kidneys have stopped working efficiently or effectively. Often when this happens, dialysis, or an external filtering of bodily fluids, is part of the treatment plan.
How does end-stage renal disease (ESRD) affect feet?
With ESRD there is a high risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. This happens as a result of damage to nerves and can create numbness, tingling or pain, or loss of sensation.
Peripheral neuropathy impacts people in many different ways.Severity of peripheral neuropathy can range from very mild to a complete loss of sensation in the feet. When there's any peripheral neuropathy, it is extremely important to inspect your feet daily - looking and feeling - checking for any injuries, ulcerations, or anything else that wasn't there yesterday.
It's important that you discuss any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy with your physician as soon as they start - early detection and treatment can make a significant difference. Treatment might include oral medications or topical creams - there are a wide variety of options, and discussing this with your doctor is an excellent first step in helping to live well with peripheral neuropathy.
Sometimes it's difficult for a person to reach or see their feet. If this is the case for you, be sure to ask someone to inspect your feet. Please don't be tempted to cut your toenails if you can't see or reach them - there are specially educated healthcare professionals such as foot care nurses who can help.
Foot care with ESRD.
Caring for one's feet with ESRD remains the same as for a person without ESRD. However, with ESRD the risk of infection is quite high, which means it's very important to minimize the chances of nicks, cuts or injuries to your feet.
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keep your feet and toenails clean
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use a soft nail brush to remove any dirt or debris
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regular use of a callus cream or moisturizer designed for feet can help keep your skin intact and healthy
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consider using a topical nail strengthener
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trim your nails, leaving 1mm of white edge. It's important to not trim off all the white edge on toenails, because there's a very fine, protective skin under the nail that gets cut if all the white edge is cut off. Breaking this barrier can allow bacteria to invade. No one wants that.
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file toenails to avoid sharp edges which can cut into the toes next to the nail in question
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if you wear nail polish, use a non-toxic brand, and use non-acetone nail polish remover
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treat any injuries promptly with first aid - at the least cover injuries with a bandage and seek medical help right away
How we can help?
Our professional team focuses on gentle, thorough care, including nail trimming, skin assessments, and wound prevention, ensuring comfort and safety. By addressing foot health proactively, we help dialysis patients maintain mobility, reduce pain, and prevent serious complications that could impact their overall well-being.