Taking Care of Your Feet
 
Foot care is especially important  people with diabetes.  It creates an even more urgent need in those that experience the following:

• Loss of feeling in their feet
• Changes in the shape of their feet
• Foot ulcers or sores that do not heal

Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. Because of this, you may have injuries to your feet that go unnoticed. Foot injuries such as these can cause ulcers which may lead to amputation. You can help take care of your feet by wearing properly fitting therapeutic shoes as prescribed by your doctor.

Keeping your blood glucose (sugar) in good control and taking care of your feet every day can help you avoid serious foot problems. Here are some tips:

1. Take care of your diabetes.
2. Check your feet every day.
3. Wash your feet every day.
4. Keep the skin soft and smooth.
5. Smooth corns and calluses gently.
6. Trim your toenails each week or when needed.
7. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
8. Protect your feet from hot and cold.
9. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
10. Be more active.
11. Be sure to ask your doctor to
12. Get started now.

1. Take care of your diabetes.

Make healthy lifestyle choices to help keep your blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol close to normal. Doing so may help prevent or delay diabetes-related foot problems as well as eye and kidney disease.
Work with your health care provider to make a diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle. Your doctor or health care provider may recommend a diabetes educator, a nurse, a dietitian, a foot care doctor called a podiatrist and other specialists. These specialists, in conjunction with your doctor will assist you in the following:

• Knowing when to test your A1C,* blood pressure, and cholesterol
• Know how and when to test your blood glucose (sugar)
• Take your medicines as prescribed
• Eat regular meals that contain a variety of healthy, low-fat, high-fiber foods including fruits and vegetables each day
• Get physical activity each day
• Stop smoking
• Follow your foot care plan.

Keep your doctor's visits and have your feet, eyes, and kidneys checked at least once a year.  It is also recommended that you visit your dentist twice a year.
*A1C is a measure of your blood glucose (sugar) over a 2-3 month period.

2. Check your feet every day.

Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Find a time (evening is best) to check your feet each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine. You could have any number of this ailments and not feel any pain.  If you have difficulty bending over and examining your feet.. you may want to ask a to a family member or caregiver to help you or use a plastic mirror to help.
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3. Wash your feet every day.
·        Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Do not soak your feet, because your skin will become dry.
·        Before bathing or showering, test the water to make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer (90° to 95° F is safe) or your elbow.
·        Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between your toes. Use talcum powder or cornstarch to keep the skin between your toes dry.
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4. Keep your skin soft and smooth.
·        Rub a thin coat of skin lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet.
·        Do not put lotion or cream between your toes because this might cause an infection.
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5. Smooth corns and calluses gently.
·        If you have corns and calluses, check with your doctor or foot care specialist about the best way to care for them.
·        If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin.
·        Do not cut corns and calluses. Don't use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn and callus removers -- they can damage your skin.
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6. Trim your toenails each week or when needed.
·        Trim your toenails with clippers after you wash and dry your feet.
·        Trim toenails straight across and smooth them with an emery board or nail file.
Don't cut into the corners of the toenail.
·        If you can't see well, if your toenails are thick or yellowed, or if your nails curve and grow into the skin, have a foot care doctor trim your toenails.
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7. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
·        Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot -- not even indoors -- because it is easy to step on something and hurt your feet.
·        Always wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes to help avoid blisters and sores.
·        Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks that have no seams are best.
·        Check the insides of your shoes before you put them on to be sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in them.
·        Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet
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8. Protect your feet from hot and cold.
·        Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement.
·        Put sunscreen on the top of your feet to prevent sunburn.
·        Keep your feet away from radiators and open fires.
·        Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.
·        Wear socks at night if your feet get cold. Lined boots are good in winter to keep your feet warm.
·        Check your feet often in cold weather to avoid frostbite.
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9. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
·        Put your feet up when you are sitting.
·        Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to improve blood flow in your feet and legs.
·        Don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
·        Don't wear tight socks, elastic or rubber bands or garters around your legs.
·        Don't smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to your feet. Ask for help to stop smoking.
·        Work with your health care team to control your A1C (blood glucose (sugar)), blood pressure and cholesterol.
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10. Be more active.
·        Ask your doctor to help you plan a daily activity program that is right for you.
Walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are good forms of exercise that are easy on the feet.
·        Avoid activities that are hard on the feet, such as running and jumping.
·        Always include a short warm-up and cool-down period.
·        Wear athletic shoes that fit well and that provide good support.
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11. Be sure to ask your doctor to:
·        Check the sense of feeling and pulses in your feet at least once a year;
·        Tell you if you are likely to have serious foot problems. If you have serious foot problems, your feet should be checked at every visit to your doctor;
·        Show you how to care for your feet;
·        Refer you to a foot care doctor if needed; and
·        Decide if special shoes would help your feet stay healthy.
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12. Get started now.
·        Begin taking good care of your feet today.
·        Set a time every day to check your feet.
·        Note the date of your next visit to the doctor.
Set a date for buying the things you need to take care of your feet: nail clippers, pumice stone, emery board, skin lotion, talcum powder, plastic mirror, socks, athletic shoes, and slippers.
Most important, stick with your foot care program .. and give yourself a special treat such as a new pair of lightly padded socks with no seams. You deserve it!
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* Information is reprinted from the (NIDDK) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases