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Diabetes and Foot Care
By: Natalie A. Teaff R.Ph., Rite Aid Drug Information Specialist
Proper foot care is important for people with diabetes. High blood sugars may lead to damage of the nerves and blood vessels in your body. This can lead to loss of feeling and decreased blood supply to areas of your body, especially your feet. This damage can cause your feet to be more prone to injury and poor healing.
The best way for a person with diabetes to prevent foot complications is to have great blood glucose control, which can help delay or even prevent foot problems. Other important steps that a patient with diabetes should do to be proactive in caring for their feet include:
- Daily foot care: wash and dry feet well, especially between the toes; visually inspect your feet every day, use a mirror to see the bottom your feet. Be sure to report any signs of redness, swelling, pain that persists, numbness or tingling to your physician.
- Apply lotion to dry or cracked skin on the tops and soles of your feet; avoid putting lotion between your toes.
- Choose proper footwear (shoes and stockings) which can protect your feet and prevent corns, calluses and possible irritations or injuries. Be sure to wear proper footwear always, even indoors. Never go barefoot or in stocking feet. In choosing footwear, make sure the shoes fit properly; you should have room to wiggle your toes; avoid open toe and/or open heel shoes. Be sure to check the inside of your shoes before putting them on for small objects, torn linings, etc, which can lead to irritation and possible infection.
- Be sure to cut toenails straight across to avoid triggering an ingrown toenail. If your nails are hard to cut, see your physician or podiatrist for assistance. Never try to remove warts, calluses, or corns on your own, see your physician or podiatrist for assistance.
- Don’t wear anything that is too tight around your legs such as girdles, pantyhose, thigh-high or knee high stockings, or men’s dress socks where the elastic is too tight; these may constrict circulation.
- With decreased feeling in your feet, be sure to protect your feet from cold and heat. Check the temperature of your bath water to make sure that it is not too hot and be sure to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet when you are out in the sun. Keep your feet warm in the winter by wearing socks and warm footwear. Do not use electric blankets, heating pads, or hot water bottles to warm your feet; they may cause burns to your feet.
Taking great care of your feet may help you prevent serious complications such as foot ulcers, infections, and possible amputation. Be sure to work with your healthcare care team to determine the best foot care plan for you. Your Rite Aid Pharmacist is available to help you.
