Foot care for people with diabetes
How do I care for my feet?
Here's how you can get started caring properly for your feet.
- Inspect your feet at least once a day. This is the most important part of your foot care. You can use a handheld mirror or magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If you can't see well, have someone assist you. Use the checklist for daily foot exams.
- Wash your feet daily. Post the steps for proper foot-washing in your bathroom. Refer to the steps when you wash your feet so that they become a habit. Make sure you dry your feet well before putting on shoes and socks.
- Wear shoes and socks that fit well. Soft shoes that have good support and that fit well (such as tennis shoes) are best for your feet. Use the checklist for shoes that fit well when you buy new shoes. Break in new shoes slowly by wearing them for a few hours each day and increasing the number of hours you wear them each week. Wear socks that do not have seams.
- Protect your feet from injury. Before you put on your shoes, check for objects (such as pebbles) or rough spots inside your shoes or objects pushing through the soles. Inspect your feet for blisters, cuts, or scrapes after activities such as hiking or skiing. If you can't see well, have someone do this for you. Post the list of precautions to protect your feet when you have diabetes in your closet near your shoes.
- Ask your doctor to check your feet during each visit. Your doctor may notice a foot problem you have missed. Take off your shoes and socks while you are waiting for your doctor. This will help remind your doctor to check your feet. Use the foot problems card
to write down any minor problems or questions you may have about foot care, and take the card with you when you visit your doctor.
- Get early treatment for foot problems. Call your doctor even for minor foot problems, unless you have already learned from your doctor how to handle these problems. Your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon if special treatment is needed. A serious problem can develop from what seems like a minor irritation. If a foot problem develops, you need to seek care early.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer the following questions to see whether you understand how you need to care for your feet. Read the checklist for daily foot exams if you haven't already read it.
If you notice a callus developing on your foot, you should:
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: January 30, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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