Diabetic Foot Care

Caring for Feet at Home

The most important component of diabetic foot care is how you protect and care for your feet at home. Establishing good habits is critical for long-term health.

• Fully examine your feet every day for signs of injury, damage, swelling, discoloration, temperature variation, or other unusual variations. Make an appointment with us if you observe any serious problems, or issues that aren’t improving with time.
• Wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day. Keep the skin soft and smooth
• Keep your toenails neatly trimmed.
• Always wear socks and protective shoes, including indoors.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
• Carefully measure and regulate underlying problems such as blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, with medication when necessary.

Preventative Care from a Physician

It is always preferable to prevent major problems before they occur, rather than treating or managing them after the fact.

• We urge all patients with diabetes to check in with us at least once a year for diabetic foot checkup. (Those with a history of foot problems should visit more regularly, according to a schedule set by your physician). These checkups not only allow us to provide maintenance care (for corns and calluses, dry skin, nails, etc.), but also to screen for the early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy and low circulation.
• Patients with a high risk of ulceration or other complications often benefit from custom orthotics and/or diabetic shoes and socks. These tools ensure that your feet have enough wiggle room, and are protected from snags, seams, impacts, shear forces, and other external pressures that can cause problems.

Wound Care

If an injury or ulcer has been sustained, immediate treatment is required. Quick intervention can help prevent infection, and reduce the risk that an ulcer will progress into a problem that must be corrected surgically or via amputation.