Including foot care in your diabetes management plan helps keep your feet healthy. Here are some tips:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wear clean, dry socks: Change them daily.
- Never walk barefoot: Not even at home! Always wear shoes or slippers. You could step on something and get a scratch or cut.
- Get periodic foot exams: Seeing your foot and ankle surgeon on a regular basis can help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.
For more info: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/diabetic-foot-care-guidelines
