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Diabetes: Taking care of your 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:
Cut off the top of it with your knife.If you notice a callus developing on your foot, you should not cut off the top of it with your knife. Cutting your skin may lead to an infection. The correct answer is c. Make a note about where the callus is, and tell your doctor about it at your next visit. Do not try to treat cuts, corns, warts, calluses, or ingrown toenails at home unless your doctor has told you specifically how to treat them. Some home treatments can be dangerous. If you think you have an infection or serious injury of your foot, call your doctor for advice.
Treat it immediately with callus pads from the drugstore.If you notice a callus developing on your foot, you should not treat it immediately with callus pads from the drugstore. The correct answer is c. Make a note about where the callus is, and tell your doctor about it at your next visit. Do not try to treat cuts, corns, warts, calluses, or ingrown toenails at home unless your doctor has told you specifically how to treat them. Some home treatments can be dangerous. If you think you have an infection or serious injury of your foot, call your doctor for advice.
Make a note about where it is and tell your doctor about it at your next visit.If you notice a callus developing on your foot, you should make a note about where it is, and tell your doctor about it at your next visit. Do not try to treat cuts, corns, warts, calluses, or ingrown toenails at home unless your doctor has told you specifically how to treat them. Some home treatments can be dangerous. Talk with your doctor about the problem you have during your next visit. If you think you have an infection or serious injury of your foot, call your doctor for advice.
Soak your foot in hot, soapy water.If you notice a callus developing on your foot, you should not soak your foot in hot, soapy water. You may not be able to tell if the water is too hot, which may lead to skin damage. The correct answer is c. Make a note about where the callus is, and tell your doctor about it at your next visit. Do not try to treat cuts, corns, warts, calluses, or ingrown toenails at home unless your doctor has told you specifically how to treat them. Some home treatments can be dangerous. If you think you have an infection or serious injury of your foot, call your doctor for advice.
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Diabetes: Taking care of your feet
| Author: | Judy Dundas | Last Updated: July 22, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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