People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems because diabetes can damage nerves and slow the flow of blood to the feet. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that foot problems are the reason 1 in 5 people with diabetes seek hospital care.
People with diabetes must take care of their feet; improper foot care can lead to amputation of the foot or leg.
Doctors will check annually for foot problems, and if you can take care of your feet, you can prevent diabetes-related complications.
Wash and dry your feet daily
Wash your feet with mild soap and warm water.
Apply lotion to your feet after washing to prevent cracking, but not between your toes!
Check your feet daily
- Look carefully at the back and bottom of the foot, and if you can’t see it yourself, ask someone else to help.
- Check for dry, cracked skin.
- Check for blisters, cuts, scratches or other injuries.
- Check for redness, heat or tenderness when touching each area.
- Note inward growing toenails, corns and calluses.
- If shoes don’t fit causing blisters or pain, don’t “poke” them, wrap them with a bandage, and get a new pair of shoes.
Caring for toenails
Cut your toenails while they are soft after bathing, trim them straight across and then smooth them with a nail file, without cutting into the corners of your toes, and call your podiatrist to cut your toenails if needed.
Don’t cut into the cuticle.
Be careful when exercising
Wear comfortable shoes when walking or exercising, and do not exercise vigorously when you have an open ulcer on your foot.
Wear shoes and socks to protect your feet
- Never go barefoot and always wear shoes, hard-soled slippers, or similar shoes to protect your feet. Wearing shoes or boots will protect your feet from weather conditions such as cold and wet.
- Don’t wear high heels and pointed shoes. Don’t wear shoes that don’t protect your toes or heels, such as open-toed shoes or sandals, as your feet are prone to injury and infection.
- Change your socks daily and wear natural fiber socks, such as those made of cotton, wool or cotton-wool blends, and not tight-fitting socks.
- Choose to wear socks that you wear often when wearing new shoes, and don’t wear new shoes for more than an hour at a time.
- Check and touch the inside of your shoes with your hands before putting them on to prevent irritating substances or rough areas in the shoes.
If your doctor recommends it, choose a special shoe based on the recommendation.
Shoes must fit well
Are the shoes too narrow? Is it barely enough to squeeze your foot into the shoe? People with neurological disease (nerve damage) don’t notice that the shoe is too tight.
Check using the following simple method.
- Stand barefoot on a piece of paper (be sure to stand rather than sit; the shape of the foot changes in different positions).
- Draw the outline of the foot.
- Put on your shoes and stand on another sheet of paper.
- Draw the outline of the shoe.
Compare the two.
The shoe should be at least 1 cm longer than the longest toe and as wide as the foot.
How do I choose the right shoe?
Shoes for people with diabetes should meet the following requirements.
- Cover the toes and heel.
- The outsole is made of a rigid material.
- Leather upper has no internal seams.
- The interior is soft and has no rough areas.
How to deal with cuts, skin bumps, ulcers and burns?
For people with diabetes, don’t delay when minor foot problems occur; talk to your doctor immediately about foot injuries and infections, and follow your doctor’s instructions and first aid guidelines.
You should not treat corns, calluses, or other foot problems yourself; see a podiatrist to manage these conditions.
- Check the water temperature with your elbow, not your foot.
- Do not use a foot heating pad.
- Do not cross your legs.
When should I see the doctor?
Patients with diabetes will have their feet examined by their doctor at each visit and should be seen if they notice any of the following problems.
- Tinea pedis (cracked feet between the toes).
- An ulcer or wound on the foot.
- Toenail growth inward.
- Increased numbness or pain.
- Callus.
- Redness.
- Darkening of the skin.
- Bunions.
- Infection.
- Malleolar toe (permanent downward bending of the middle joint of the toe).