Diabetic Patient's Feet care

When you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is very important. Poor foot care can lead to serious problems, including possibly having to remove the foot or leg.
As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because the disease can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet.

Here are some diabetes foot care tips to follow.

Quit smoking

Smoking can worsen heart and vascular problems and reduce circulation to the feet.

Avoid activities that can injure the feet

some activities increase the risk of foot injury and are not recommended, including walking barefoot, using a heating pad or hot water bottle on the feet, and stepping into the bathtub before testing the temperature.

Use care when trimming the nails

Trim the toe nails along the shape of the toe and file the nails to remove any sharp edges. Never cut the cuticles. Do not open blisters, try to free ingrown toenails, or otherwise break the skin on the feet. See a healthcare provider or podiatrist for even minor procedures.

Wash and check the feet daily

Use lukewarm water and mild soap to clean the feet. Gently pat your feet dry and apply a moisturizing cream or lotion. Check the entire surface of both feet for skin breaks, blisters, swelling, or redness, including between and underneath the toes where damage may be hidden. Use a mirror if it is difficult to see all parts of the feet or ask a family member or caregiver to help.

Choose socks and shoes carefully

Select cotton socks that fit loosely, and change the socks every day. Select shoes that are snug but not tight, and break new shoes in slowly to prevent any blisters. Ask about customized shoes if the feet are misshapen or have ulcers; specialized shoes can reduce the chances of developing foot ulcers in the future. Shoe inserts may also help cushion the step and decrease pressure on the soles of the feet.

Ask for foot exams

Screening for foot complications should be a routine part of most medical visits, but is sometimes overlooked. Don't hesitate to ask the healthcare provider for a foot check at least once a year, and more frequently if there are foot changes.