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 o you want to avoid serious foot problems that can lead to a toe, foot, or leg amputation?It’s all about taking good care of your feet. Foot care is very important for every person with diabetes, but especially if you have:
Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. You may not feel a pebble inside your sock that is causing a sore. You may not feel a blister caused by poorly fitting shoes. Foot injuries such as these can cause ulcers, which may lead to amputation.
Keeping your blood glucose (sugar) in good control and taking care of your feet every day can help you avoid serious foot problems.
Make your own plan for taking care of your feet. Helpful tips make it easy! Share your plan with your doctor and health care team and get their help when you need it. There is a lot you can do to prevent serious problems with your feet. Here’s how.Take care of your diabetes. Make healthy lifestyle choices to help keep your blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels close to normal. Doing so may help prevent or delay diabetes-related foot problems as well as heart, eye, and kidney disease. Work with your health care team to make a diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle. The team may include your doctor, a diabetes educator, a nurse, a dietitian, a foot care doctor called a podiatrist (pah-DI-ah-trist), and other specialists. This team will help you to:
You may have serious foot problems, but feel no pain. Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Find a time (evening
is best) to check your feet each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine. If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a plastic mirror to help. You also can ask a family member or caregiver to help you. Check your feet
every day.
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Do not soak your feet because your skin will get dry afterwards. Before bathing or showering, test the water to make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer (90° to 95° F is safe) or your elbow. Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between your toes. Use talcum powder or cornstarch to keep the skin between your toes dry.
Rub a thin coat of skin lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet. Do not put lotion or cream between your toes because this might cause an infection. Put lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet.
If you have corns and calluses, check with your doctor or podiatrist about the best way to care for them. If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin. Do not cut corns and calluses. Don’t use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn and callus removers — they can damage your skin.
Have a foot care doctor trim your toenails if you can’t see well, if you cannot reach your feet, if your toenails are thick or yellowed, or if your nails curve and grow into the skin. If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them with clippers after you wash and dry your feet. Trim toenails straight across and smooth them with an emery board or nail file. Do not cut into the corners of the toenail.
Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot – not even indoors – because it is easy to step on something and hurt your feet. Always wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes to help avoid blisters and sores. Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks that have no seams are best. Check the insides of your shoes before you put them on to be sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in them. Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check the inside of your shoes before you put them on.
Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Put sunscreen on the top of your feet to prevent sunburn. Keep your feet away from radiators and open fires. Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet. Wear socks at night if your feet get cold. Lined boots are good in winter to keep your feet warm. Check your feet often in cold weather to avoid frostbite. Protect your feet when walking on hot surfaces.
Put your feet up when you are sitting. Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes, two or three times a day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to improve blood flow in your feet and legs. Do not cross your legs for long periods of time. Do not wear tight socks, elastic or rubber bands, or garters around your legs. Do not smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to your feet. Ask for help to stop smoking. Work with your health care team to control your A1C (blood glucose), blood pressure and cholesterol.
Ask your health care team to help you plan a daily activity program that is right for you. Walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are good forms of exercise that are easy on the feet. Avoid activities that are hard on the feet, such as running and jumping. Always include a short warm-up and cool-down period. Wear athletic shoes that fit well and that provide good support.
Be sure to ask your health care team to tell you if you are likely to have serious foot problems. If you have serious foot problems, your feet should be checked at every visit to your doctor. Check the sense of feeling and pulses in your feet at least once a year.
Ask your health care team to show you how to care for your feet, refer you to a podiatrist if needed and decide if special shoes would help your feet stay healthy.
Get started now! Begin taking good care of your feet today. Set a time every day to check your feet. Note the date of your next visit to the doctor. Set a date for buying the things you need to take care of your feet: nail clippers, pumice stone, emery board, skin lotion, talcum powder, plasticmirror, socks, athletic shoes, and slippers. Most important, stick with your foot care program…and give yourself a special treat such as a new pair of soft, lightly padded socks. You deserve it!
Ask your doctor about insurance coverage for special footwear. You may need special shoes or shoe inserts to prevent serious foot problems. You may be able to get some of the cost of special shoes or inserts paid for by insurance coverage. Ask your doctor whether you qualify for:
 Extra depth shoes look like athletic or walking shoes, but have more room in them. The extra room allows for different shaped feet and toes or for special inserts made to fit your feet. TIPS FOR PROPER FOOTWEAR
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