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Good Diabetes Foot Care

Foot care

Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves (legs and feet) and you might not feel heat, cold or pain.

  1. Home
  2. Diabetes
  3. Foot care
  • Why people with diabetes are more vulnerable to foot problems
  • Taking care of Your feet3,4
  • Ask Your doctor to check Your feet1,3
  • References

Why people with diabetes are more vulnerable to foot problems

Foot problems are common in people with diabetes1. Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet1,2,3:

Nerve Damage or Neuropathy

  • Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves (legs and feet) and you might not feel heat, cold or pain. This lack of feeling is called diabetic neuropathy
  • If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected

Poor Blood flow

  • Diabetes also affects the flow of blood which prolongs the healing of a sore or cut
  • Poor circulation (blood flow) can lead to foot infections. Diabetes causes blood vessels of the foot and leg to narrow and harden
  • Poor blood flow in the arms and legs is called peripheral arterial disease

Skin Changes

  • Skin dryness, cracking, and peeling can occur in the feet during diabetes
  • Calluses can build up faster, and ulcers can develop on the heel or the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toes

Deformities

  • Nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet leading to deformities
  • People with diabetes and pre-existing foot problems (such as hammer toes, overlapping toes, or bunions) are more prone to infections

Taking care of Your feet3,4

There are a few things you can do to care for your feet—here are some helpful tips:

blood

Take care of your diabetes

Be sure to maintain your blood sugar in the range that your doctor recommends. Work with your healthcare team to manage diabetes and prevent complications

FEET

Check your feet every day

Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help

wash

Wash your feet

Wash your feet in warm water every day, using a mild soap. Do not soak your feet. Dry your feet well, especially between the toes

cream

Keep your skin soft and smooth

Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes. Gently smooth corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone

nail

Trim your toenails

If you are able to see them, trim your nails straight across, or use an emery board to file them. If you are unable to do this, ask someone to help you

socks

Wear shoes and socks at all times

Always wear closed-toed shoes or slippers. Do not wear sandals. Do not walk barefoot, even around the house

shoes

Wear shoes that fit well

Buy shoes made of canvas or leather, and break them in slowly

slipper

Protect your feet from hot and cold

Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.

cross legs

Keep the blood flowing to your feet

Put your feet up when sitting, wiggle your toes and move your ankles several times a day, and don’t cross your legs for long periods of time

smoking

Stop smoking

Smoking can make blood flow problems worse

Ask Your doctor to check Your feet1,3

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following problems:

A cut, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not start to heal after a few days

Changes in skin color or skin temperature

Skin on your foot that becomes red, warm, or painful—signs of a possible infection

Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus

Unusual and/or persistent foot odor

A foot infection that becomes black and smelly—signs you might have gangrene

The sooner you see your healthcare provider or podiatrist to identify a problem, the better your outcome will likely be. Remember that when it comes to foot care, you are a key member of the healthcare team.

References

  1. Diabetes and Foot Problems | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2019 [Cited 17 April 2019]. Available from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems
  2. Foot Complications [Internet]. American Diabetes Association. 2019 [cited 22 April 2019]. Available from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications/
  3. Diabetes: Foot & Skin Related Complications Prevention | Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2019 [Cited 17 April 2019]. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9492-diabetes-foot--skin-related-complications/prevention
  4. Foot Care [Internet]. American Diabetes Association. 2019 [Cited 17 April 2019]. Available from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications/foot-care.html
NON-2022-4521-17March2022

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