Diabetic Foot Care

Many patients with diabetes don’t realize just how much this disease impacts and affects the circulation and nerves to their feet, leaving them at risk for delayed healing, infections, ulcerations, neuropathy, gangrene and amputations among other complications. It is much easier and preferable to prevent a complication to begin with than to deal with an existing complication. With that in mind I would like to post these do and don’t rules for optimum foot care with diabetes. These rules would also apply to those with PVD (peripheral vascular disease) or people with generally poor circulation.

FIRST THE DO’S
Do inspect your feet daily for blisters, cuts, scratches, ulcers.
Do wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water and soap. Test bath water with hand.
Do dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes with a blotting action.
Do apply a skin cream after drying feet , avoid between toes.
Do keep feet warm and dry.
Do wear comfortable well fitting shoes.
Do inspect inside of shoes for foreign objects and torn linings.
Do change your shoes everyday.
Do buy all shoe gear at days end when feet are their largest.
Do wear loose fitting socks to bed if feet are cold.
Do avoid wet feet, wet shoes or wet socks, especially during the winter months.
Do avoid extremes of temperature, hot or cold.
Do keep all appointments that your physician or podiatrist schedule for you.

NOW THE DON’TS
Don’t walk barefoot indoor or outdoors.
Don’t cut corns, calluses, or nails yourself.
Don’t pull or tear any dead skin from toes, corns, feet.
Don’t use caustic chemical agents for the removal of corns and calluses.
Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces circulation.
Don’t wear any garters that encircle the leg.
Don’t wear shoes without stockings.
Don’t wear the same shoes or socks more than 1 day in a row.
Don’t soak feet unless directed.