Diabetic Foot Care

When you have diabetes, proper foot care is essential. Poor foot care with diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including amputation.

It’s important to understand the connection between diabetes and foot care. As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. By taking proper care of your feet, most serious health problems associated with diabetes can be prevented.

Here are some diabetes foot care tips to help you stay healthy:

• Wash and dry your feet daily

• Examine your feet each day

• Take care of your toenails

• Be careful when exercising

• Protect your feet with shoes and socks

• Wear the right shoes

When to Talk to Your Doctor About Foot Care

Your health care provider should examine your feet at each visit. In addition, see your health care provider if you have any of the following problems with your feet:

Athlete’s foot (cracking between the toes)
Sores or wounds on your feet
Ingrown toenails
Increasing numbness or pain
Calluses
Redness
Blackening of skin
Bunions
Infection
Hammer toes (when the middle joint of toes is permanently bent downward)