Diabetic Foot Care

If you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to your feet. Less attention on the feet can trigger serious problems; you may have to amputate your leg.

As a diabetic, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because the disease can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. American Diabetes Association has estimated that one in five people with diabetes who undergo medical treatment to keep their foot health. With proper handling, a more serious problem can be prevented.


Here are some tips for maintaining healthy feet:

• Wash and Dry Your Feet Every Day
• Use a gentle soap
• Use warm water
• Dry your skin, do not rub. Dry your feet completely
• After washing your feet, use foot lotion to prevent chapped skin. Do not wear lotion in between your fingers.

Check Your Feet Every Day

• Check your feet from top to bottom. Ask someone to check your feet if you cannot do it alone.
• Note the dryness and cracked skin that may exist.
• Note the leg skin blisters, cuts, scratches that may exist.
• Note the reddish color of the feet, the temperature is increased, or leg tenderness when you touch your feet.
• Pay attention to the toenails, corns, and the skin is thick and hardened feet.
• If your feet blister or hurt because of your shoes, do not peel the skin away. Bandage your wounds and use the other shoe.

Note Nail Your Feet

• Cut toenails after bathing, because the nail is softer feet after bathing.
• Cut toenails straight into the side
• Avoid cutting finger nails down to shrinkage, if in doubt, you can ask for help doctors to cut your nails
• Take care when exercising
• Use comfortable shoes for exercising
• Do not exercise when your legs hurt.

Protect Your Feet with Shoes and Socks

• Never go barefoot
• Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or sandals with hard soles
• Do not wear high heels and pointy
• Do not use shoes that not closing your fingers, like shoes sandals. This type increase the risk of injury and infection of your foot
• Wear new shoes and the type of socks you normally wear
• Do not wear new shoes more than one hour in a disposable
• Make sure no sharp objects or rough on the shoes before you wear them
• Do not wear tight socks
• Use socks made of cotton, wool, or a mixture of cotton and wool
• Use special shoes that fit your doctor's advice
• Use a shoe that can protect the feet from various weathers such as cold, clammy, etc.
• Make sure the shoes fit in the leg. If you have nerve damage, you may not notice if your shoes were too tight
• Perform the following tests to see if your shoes fit in the foot: Stand on a piece of paper. (Make sure you are standing, not sitting, because the shape of the foot changes when you stand up).
• Note the lines of your feet and your shoes line
• Compare the two: if the shoe is too narrow? Do you experience leg cramps in the shoe? Shoes should be half inch longer than your longest toe and the width of your foot.

Shoes the Right Choice for People with Diabetes

• Buy closed shoes
• Buy shoes that do not have the leather seats on the inside
• Make sure the shoes 1/2 inch longer than your longest toe
• Choose shoes that are soft on the inside and there are no rough areas
• Out sole shoes should be made of hard materials
• Look for shoes that are as wide as your foot.

Safe Tips for Feet

• Do not delay treatment if your feet have a problem even the slightest one. Follow your doctor's instructions and follow the way of the first treatment of the foot.
• Consult and leg wound infection in physicians
• Check water temperature with your elbow and do not use your legs
• Do not use heating mat on your feet
• Treat the hardened skin, or other foot problems to the doctor. Do not treat your own way
• Do not cross your legs.

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