Because you have diabetes, you may have suffered damage to the nerves in your feet. This means you'll be less likely to feel pain if you have an injury, a break in the skin, or a blister on your feet. You may also have trouble healing any injury that occurs. Your feet need special attention to avoid these problems. Here are some tips to help you.
Take care of your diabetes.
* Work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar within a good range. This may slow down the damage to your nerves and improve healing of breaks in your skin.
Check your feet every day.
* Look at your bare feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, swelling, or hardened skin called "callus."
* Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet, or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing.
* Call your health care provider if you find any of the aforementioned problems.
Wash your feet every day.
* Wash your feet in warm-not hot-water every day.
* Pat the feet dry (don't rub). Be sure to dry between the toes.
Keep the skin soft and smooth.
* Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
Smooth corns and calluses gently, if your health care provider approves.
* If your health care provider says that your feet are at low risk for problems, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses. Don't use over-the-counter products or sharp tools on corns or calluses.
If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or when needed.
* Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.
* If you can't feel your feet, see your foot doctor regularly to trim your toenails.
Wear shoes and socks at all times.
* Never walk barefoot.
* Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
* Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
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.
* Don't test bath water with your feet.
* Don't use hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.
Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
* Put your feet up when sitting.
* Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.
* Don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
* Don't smoke.
Be more active.
* Plan your physical activity program with your health care provider.
Check in with your health care provider.
* Have your health care provider check your bare feet and find out whether you're likely to have serious foot problems. Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury.
* Call your health care provider right away if you find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot.
* Follow your health care provider's advice about foot care.
Get started now.
* Begin taking good care of your feet today.
* Set a time every day to check your feet.
Source: Feet Can Last a Lifetime, from the National Diabetes Education Program, a joint program of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This patient-education guide has been adapted for the 5th-grade level using the Flesch-Kincaid and SMOG formulas. It may be photocopied for clinical use or adapted to meet your facility's requirements. Selected references are available upon request.