People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems can quickly get worse and lead to serious complications. Problems most often develop when blood flow is poor or when there is nerve damage in the legs and feet.
Of people with diabetes who enter the hospital, about one in five do so for foot problems. But you can protect your feet by following some basic guidelines.
Inspect your feet every day, and seek care early if you do get a foot injury. Make sure your doctor examines your feet at each diabetes visit and checks the circulation and nerve function. Your doctor should also give you a list and explain the do's and don'ts of foot care.
Skin Changes
Diabetes can cause changes in the skin of your foot. At times your foot may become very dry. The skin may peel and crack. The problem is that the nerves that control sweating no longer work.
Taking care of dry, scaly feet is easy. After bathing, dry your feet, and seal in the moisture that remains with a thin coat of a lubricant. You can use plain petroleum jelly, unscented hand creams, or other such products.
Do not put oils or creams between your toes. The extra moisture can lead to infection. Also, most doctors believe you should not soak your feet.
Calluses
Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. Using a pumice stone every day will help keep calluses under control.
Calluses, if not trimmed, get very thick, break down, and turn into ulcers (open sores). Never try to cut calluses or corns yourself this can lead to ulcers and infection. Let your doctor or podiatrist (foot doctor) cut your calluses. Also, do not try to remove calluses and corns with chemical agents. These products can burn your skin.
Caring for Feet
There are many things you can do to protect your feet from injury and to keep them healthy.
Everyday
- Keep your blood sugar in control.
- Wash your feet. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
Check your feet. Be sure to look between the toes, at the toe webs, and on the bottoms (use a mirror). If you cannot see well, have a friend or relative check your feet everyday. You should look for blisters, cuts, redness, hard skin, breaks, swelling, and scratches. Also feel the temperature of your feet. If they feel hot or cold, something could be wrong.
- Wear flat shoes that fit your feet. They should be comfortable when you buy them. Break in your new shoes slowly.
- Consider wearing comfortable walking shoes.
- Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure there are no pebbles, nails, or other sharp objects in them and that the shoe itself is not rough and the lining is not torn.
- Choose socks carefully. They should not have seams or other bumpy areas. Do not wear mended socks. Pull your socks on gently to prevent ripping a toenail. Choose padded athletic socks to protect your feet and make walking more comfortable.
Do Not
- Put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby.
- If your feet are cold, wear socks. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.
- Cut off blood flow to your feet or wear garters.
- Never walk barefoot. You could burn or cut your feet and not notice it. Keep slippers by your bed to use when you get up at night.
- Smoke.
- Cut corns or calluses yourself.
When Your Toenails Need Trimming
- Do not use chemicals on corns, calluses, or warts. Over-the-counter products are often too strong for use by people with diabetes. They can burn your feet.
- Cut your toenails straight across and file the edges. Do not rip off hangnails
See Your Doctor
- See your doctor at the first sign of infection or inflammation.
- If you have lost feeling in your feet, ask your qualified health care provider for advice on proper shoes.
Your Doctor's Role
Because people with diabetes are more prone to foot problems, a podiatrist may be on your health-care team. Your doctor should perform a complete foot exam at least annually. This exam should include checking the foot's blood flow, nerves, bones, skin, and soft tissue.
Your doctor should inspect your feet carefully at each diabetes visit throughout the year, especially if you have had an ulcer before. Remember to take off your socks and shoes while you wait for your physical examination.
You should call or see your doctor or podiatrist if you have cuts or breaks in the skin or have an ingrown nail. Also tell your doctor if the foot changes color, changes shape, or just feels different (for example, becomes less sensitive or hurts).
If you have corns or calluses, your doctor or podiatrist can trim them for you. Your podiatrist can also trim your toenails if you cannot do so safely.
