Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines

Integrative Foot & Ankle Centers

(561) 293-3439

IntegrativeFoot.com

Diabetes can be dangerous to your feet—even a small cut can produce serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling in your feet. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you may not notice a foreign object in your shoe. As a result, you could develop a blister or a sore. This could lead to an infection or a non-healing wound that could put you at risk for an amputation.

To avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg, follow these guidelines.

1. Check your blood sugar regularly and try to maintain your glucose levels within the normal range if possible.

2. Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet. Call your doctor if you notice anything.

3. Bathe feet in lukewarm, never hot, water. Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. Use only lukewarm water—the temperature you would use on a newborn baby.

4. Be gentle when bathing your feet. Wash them using a soft washcloth or sponge. Dry by blotting or patting and carefully dry between the toes.

5. Moisturize your feet but not between your toes. Use a moisturizer daily to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. But don't moisturize between the toes—that could encourage a fungal infection.

6. Cut nails carefully. Cut them straight across and file the edges. Don’t cut nails too short, as this could lead to ingrown toenails. If you have concerns about your nails, consult your doctor.

7. Never treat corns or calluses yourself. No “bathroom surgery” or medicated pads. Visit your doctor for appropriate treatment.

8. Wear clean, dry socks. Change them daily.

9. Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes. These socks have extra cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from fibers that wick moisture away from the skin.

10. Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks. Never use a heating pad or a hot water bottle.

11. Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing. Remember, your feet may not be able to feel a pebble or other foreign object, so always inspect your shoes before putting them on.

12. Keep your feet warm and dry. Don’t let your feet get wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.

13. Consider using an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet. This is helpful if you have excessive sweating of the feet.

14. Never walk barefoot. Not even at home! Always wear shoes or slippers. You could step on something and get a scratch or cut.

15. Do not smoke. Smoking restricts blood flow in your feet.

16. Get periodic foot exams. Seeing your foot and ankle surgeon on a regular basis can help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.

17. Wear diabetic therapeutic shoes with moldable inserts or custom orthotics.

18. Take the proper vitamins and supplements specifically for nerve health to ensure proper structure and function of the nerves and to decrease numbness or loss of sensation.

Dr. Daniel Pero, DPM, is a foot and ankle specialist that treats patients wth diabetes, and helps patients prevent complications from diabetes and peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. Medicare and some insurance companies participate in a diabetic therapeutic shoe program and if you qualify you may be eligible for one pair of diabetic therapeutic shoes and three pair of moldable inserts or custom orthotics at no cost to you per calendar year, beginning each January. For more information call and make and appointment for an evaluation at (561) 293-3439.