The Dos & Don’ts for Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic Foot Care Dos

Caring For Your Feet

• Inspect your feet daily, including the bottoms, for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or nail problems.
• Regularly moisturize your feet to avoid itching or cracking.
• Get periodic foot exams from a foot and ankle surgeon to prevent complications. They can reduce risk of amputation by 45% to 85%.

A Step Each Day Can Help Keep Problems At Bay

• Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles for five minutes, two to three times a day.
• Shake out your shoes and feel for objects inside before wearing. You may not feel a small foreign object when your shoe is on your foot.
• Maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to nerve cell damage.

Diabetic Foot Care Don’ts

A Degree Of Prevention

• Never use heating pads, hot water bottles, or electric blankets. You can easily burn your feet without noticing.
• Don’t put your feet in hot water. Test with your hand first.
• Don’t try to remove corns or calluses. Visit your foot and ankle surgeon for appropriate treatment.

Tips For Safe Strolling

• Don’t wear tight, elastic, or thick and bulky socks.
• Don’t let your feet get wet in snow and rain. Wear warm socks and waterproof shoes in the winter.
• Don’t walk barefoot, even at home. You can easily get a scratch or cut.

Charcot Foot

Charcot Foot is a weakening of the bones and joints that occurs in people with significant nerve damage (neuropthy).