How to care for your feet if you have Diabetes

Diabetes & Your Feet
Linda Slota, Director

Diabetes may lead to serious foot injuries. Poorly controlled blood sugar can cause a decrease in the blood supply to our legs and feet, leading to poor healing. Poorly controlled blood sugar can also damage nerves, resulting in a loss of feeling. When your feet are numb, you are unable to feel pain if your feet are injured. You can protect your feet with good blood sugar control and proper foot care. Your feet deserve your concern.

How To Check Your Feet 

Wear your glasses; sit down in good light; take your shoes and socks off; use a mirror to look at at areas that are hard to see (like the soles of your feet) and if you have trouble seeing your entire foot, ask someone to help you.

What To Look For 

Call your doctor or podiatrist if you have:

• foot injuries that do not heal within 3 days
• Swelling
• Redness - (areas too "hot" to touch)
• Pain
• Blisters or bleeding
• Calluses, Corns or Plantar Warts
• Ingrown toe nailes
• Rashes
• Dry Skin (cracks between toes)
• Unusual itching
• Change in color (from pale to deep purple or red)
• Thick, rough, or hard areas
• Areas of very shiny skin and bad smell

How to Care For Your Feet:

• Keep your blood sugar in control
• Wash your feet every day with warm water and soap.
• After washing your feet, dry well - especially between the toes
• Look at the tops and bottoms of your feet for red areas or sores
• If your feet are dry, use lotion, but not between the toes
• If your feet sweat, use powder
• Trim your nails straight across after washing you feet and smooth them with an emery board
• If you have nerve disease check with your doctor to see if it is safe to trim your own nails
• Wear cotton or wool socks/stockings
• Exercise with your doctor's consent
• Always wear shoes or slippers that fit well
• Check shoes for rocks or other objects before you put them on
• Make sure your doctor or health care provider checks your feet at each visit
• Ask you doctor to check the sense of feeling and pulses in your feet at least once a year