Diabetes foot health: Overview
When you have diabetes, your feet need extra care and attention. Diabetes can damage the nerve endings and blood vessels in your feet, making you less likely to notice when your feet are injured. Diabetes also limits your body's ability to fight infection and get blood to areas that need it. If you get a minor foot injury, it could become an ulcer or a serious infection. With good foot care, you can prevent most of these problems.
Caring for your feet can be quick and easy. Most of the care can be done when you are bathing or getting ready for bed.
Diabetes: How do you wash your feet?
Washing your feet is an important part of your daily routine when you have diabetes. Here are some tips.
- Use warm (not hot) water to wash your feet.
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Check the water temperature with your wrists, not your feet.
- Wash all parts of your feet.
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Pay special attention to the underside of your toes and between them. Use mild soap.
- Pat your feet dry.
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Don't rub the skin on your feet.
- Dry carefully between your toes.
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If the skin on your feet stays moist, it can lead to infection.
- After washing, take care of your feet.
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- Apply lanolin or other moisturizing skin cream. But don't put the cream between your toes.
- Clean underneath your toenails carefully. Don't use a sharp object.
- Trim your toenails as needed using a nail clipper, not scissors. If you can't see well or your nails are thick, split, or yellowed, have your doctor or podiatrist trim them.
- Wear clean socks.
Diabetes foot health: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have a foot sore, an ulcer or break in the skin that is not healing after 4 days, bleeding corns or calluses, or an ingrown toenail.
- You have blue or black areas, which can mean bruising or blood flow problems.
- You have peeling skin or tiny blisters between your toes or cracking or oozing of the skin.
- You have a fever for more than 24 hours and a foot sore.
- You have new numbness or tingling in your feet that does not go away after you move your feet or change positions.
- You have unexplained or unusual swelling of the foot or ankle.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You cannot do proper foot care.
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