Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Feet

Tips To Keep Your Feet Healthy

Check your feet every day.

• Look for calluses, cuts, sores, blisters, red spots, and swelling. A good time to check your feet is when you put on or take off your shoes and socks.
• Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet if you have trouble seeing them. You can also ask a family member to help you.
• Contact your health care provider if you see a problem.

Wash your feet every day.

• Use warm water, not hot, to wash your feet. Do not soak your feet.
• Check bath water with your hands first to make sure it’s not too hot. You might not feel how hot the water is with your feet.
• Dry your feet well, including between your toes.

Keep the skin on your feet soft and smooth.

• Rub a thin coat of lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet.
• Do not put lotion between your toes. It could cause an infection.

Protect your feet.

• Do not walk barefoot. It is easy to step on something and hurt your feet.
• Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
• Check inside your shoes before you put them on to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects in them.
• Always wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement.
• Do not use hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.
• Do not use over-the-counter products for corns and calluses. They may harm your skin.
• Keep your blood sugar within your target levels.
• Ask your primary care provider to check your feet at every visit.
• Have a podiatrist (a doctor who treats feet) examine your feet once a year or more.

How Can Diabetes Harm Your Feet?

• Diabetes is a major cause of amputation of a toe, foot, or leg. Many amputations could be prevented with daily foot care.
• If you have diabetes, you can lose feeling in your feet. When that happens, it can be hard to tell when you have a problem—like a callus, cut, sore, or blister on your foot.
• Diabetes can reduce the amount of blood flow to your feet. Numbness and less blood flow can slow the time it takes for sores to heal and lead to foot problems.

What to Do When You Visit a Podiatrist

• Work with your podiatrist to create a plan to care for your feet.
• Ask how to trim your toenails and treat corns and calluses safely.
• Ask if you qualify for special shoes. They might be covered by Medicare or other insurance plans.
• Ask your podiatrist to send your exam results to your other doctors after every visit.
• Be sure to keep your next podiatrist appointment!