Foot thermometers advised for diabetics

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CHICAGO (UPI) -- Diabetics might avert crippling foot infections by daily

monitoring the temperature of their feet, a U.S. doctor suggests.

Lead study author Dr. Armstrong of the lind lin's Scholl

College of Podiatric Medicine, in Chicago, conducted a trial that shows

patients

checking skin temperature were three times less likely to develop ulcers

compared to those in the standard therapy group instructed to visually

inspect

their feet.

" A wound will heat up before the skin breaks down, " Armstrong says in a

statement. " You can detect infection by checking one foot compared to

another foot,

one toe compared to another toe. "

Armstrong says he hopes checking skin temperature -- dermal thermometry --

becomes the norm. The instrument used in the clinical trial is the wand-like

TempTouch, costing about $150. Armstrong began carrying a thermometer to

help prevent foot ulcers in his patients 15 years ago as a medical student

and

resident.

" I spent $700 and bought this fancy thermometer I put in my pocket, " he

said. " I would tell my patients 'You've got to buy one of these. I know it's

a lot

of money, but it will help keep your feet on.' "

The findings are published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International