Diabetes Care for Healthy Feet

Your Clinician’s Notes for you:

Move more. Regular exercise
for 10-15 minutes a day can
help keep your blood sugar
levels on track.
Foot Care Guide
For people with diabetes mellitus
Don’t smoke. Smoking decreases
the blood circulation to the feet.

Follow your diabetes meal

plan. Ask your doctor or dietitian
for help if you’re having trouble
sticking to it.

Check your blood sugar as

directed by your doctor. Check
more often if you’re sick or if
you’re concerned about high or
low blood sugar.

Take medicine as instructed. If

your blood sugar is often high,
your doctor may change how
much medicine you take or
when you take it.

Disclaimer: This is a controlled document. This document is not a

See your primary care
provider or podiatrist (foot
doctor) for a yearly foot
evaluation.
substitute for proper training, experience, and exercising of
professional judgment. While every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy of the contents, neither the authors nor the Wound
Reference, Inc. give any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information
contained in them nor accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage,
injury or expense arising from any such errors or omissions in the
contents of the work.
 Recommended Daily Foot Care
Step 1: Inspect your feet.
Check the top, bottom, sides,
and between toes. Look for
cuts, blisters, redness, and nail
changes. Use a mirror if you
have trouble seeing your feet
or bending over
Step 2: Wash your feet every
day. Wash your feet and toes
with lukewarm water and soap.
Test the water temperature with
your elbow.
*Avoid soaking your feet and
using hot water, this can lead
to skin dryness or cause a burn
Step 3: Dry your feet
completely. Gently pat dry with
a clean towel and be sure to dry
between the toes.
Step 4: Moisturize your feet.
Apply a thin coat of lotion but
NOT between the toes which can
cause a fungal infection.
Shoe and Sock Use Guide Common Foot Problems in Diabetes
There should be 0.5-0.7 inches (1-2 cm) of space
between the longest toe and the end of the shoe Feet feel
Neuropathy numb or burn
or tingle
Thickened dry
skin in areas
Callus/Corns of pressure
(heels, bottom
of feet)
Fluid filled
wound,
Shape of the shoe should
Blister usually from
resemble the shape of the foot.
shoes rubbing
Front of shoe should be wide so
(Do not pop)
toes easily wiggle and have
space.
Itchy and
odorous
Athlete’s fungal
Shake out your shoes and feel
Foot infection
the inside of the shoe for any
usually
objects or bumps that may
between toes
bother the skin.
Nail and Callus Care
Wear clean, dry cotton socks ● Cut nails carefully. Cut
with shoes. Change them if they them straight across and
get wet or full of sweat. file the edges. Don’t cut
nails too short, as this
Never walk barefoot or with could lead to ingrown
socks only. Always wear shoes toenails.
or slippers.
● Do not remove or trim ingrown
Purchasing shoes and socks:
toenails or thick toenails. See a health
care provider for management.
● Avoid thong sandals, flip-flops, pointed
toe and open-toe shoes and high heels.
● Never treat and cut corns or calluses
● Buy shoes late in the day when feet are
their largest for a proper fit. yourself. Callus removal products and
● Consider buying socks and shoes made pumice stones may help but check with
specifically for patients with diabetes. your health care provider first.