I’m a Diabetic: What Do I Need to Know About Foot Care?

If you have diabetes, the best way to keep your feet healthy is to manage your blood sugar levels. This can help you avoid complications like nerve damage, foot infection, and even amputation.

But even when you do everything possible to keep your diabetes under control, you are still at risk of developing foot problems. At Go Feet in Mays Landing, and Linwood, New Jersey, the experienced podiatric team is ready to support you in your diabetic foot care needs.

Here’s what we want you to know when it comes to basic diabetic foot care.

BE AWARE OF NERVE DAMAGE

About half of all people with diabetes have neuropathy, or nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy most commonly affects your feet and causes you to experience pain, tingling, and numbness. The numbness means you don’t feel cuts or blisters that can then become easily infected.

CHECK YOUR FEET DAILY

A daily foot inspection is a must for people with diabetes. Because of potential nerve damage, you may not feel a cut or abrasion, which can get infected quickly. Even if you don’t have nerve damage, diabetes means you have poor circulation, so injuries don’t get healing nutrients and can take extra long to heal. If you do find any abnormalities, contact us here at Go Feet right away.

Use a mirror to examine hard-to-reach areas, including between your toes, or ask a family member to help. Remember to report any unusual findings, including ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, or warts to your provider. These common foot complaints can become serious in people with diabetes.

WASH YOUR FEET DAILY

Don’t soak your feet, but wash them thoroughly and dry them completely, including between your toes. Apply lotion, paying special attention to dry heels. You want to keep this area moist to avoid developing cracks that invite infection.

ALWAYS WEAR SHOES

Going barefoot puts you at risk of injury. Wear shoes all the time, and make sure that they fit properly. We can recommend special diabetic shoes that provide extra cushioning in the heel to make you more comfortable.

Always wear socks with your shoes and, before putting them on, shake them out to make sure they don’t have pebbles or debris in them that could cause cuts or abrasions.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOENAILS

Trim your nails regularly, and cut them straight across, rather than at an angle. This helps prevent ingrown toenails, which can quickly become infected. If you can’t reach your feet or see them well, ask a family member to help, or have our staff trim the nails at your regular visits.

SCHEDULE REGULAR VISITS AT GO FEET

You benefit from yearly visits at Go Feet to examine your feet and look for any complications you may have missed. If you have neuropathy, you’ll need to schedule more frequent visits.

Raise any concerns you have about your feet at these appointments. You may ask to have calluses and corns removed, for example. We can also recommend orthotics and other foot products and exercises that promote good foot health.

If you have diabetes, call one of the convenient locations of Go Feet in the Mays Landing, and Linwood, New Jersey areas, or use the online tool to schedule an appointment. We’re available to help you with all your diabetic foot care needs, no matter how complex.