Knowledge Is The Key

When you were first diagnosed with diabetes, were you given instruction on how to take care of your feet on a daily basis? Chances are that you were given limited information in this very important area. The most common reason is because you and your health care professional were mainly focused on getting your blood sugar down to an acceptable range. I am a health care professional working in the diabetes education field and foot care is one area that I really stress when I talk to my clients with diabetes.

Why?

Because I have seen the damaging effects of poor foot care. These damaging effects include chronic foot ulcers that can lead to disability and in some cases, amputation.

My goal is to educate as many people as I can about how to care for your feet. The more you know about foot care, the less chance you will have in developing foot ulcers now and in the future.

Let’s start with daily care.

One of the things that are important in diabetes foot care is that you have to do it on a daily basis. Whether it is when you first get up in the morning to take a bath or shower or whether it is in the evening. The important thing is that you need to do this EVERY DAY. Very much the same way that you are checking your blood sugar every day. It needs to become part of your daily routine.

Your Daily Foot Care Routine.

1. Wash your feet in warm (never hot) water, using a mild non-perfumed soap If you have diminished sensation in your hands and feet, you can use your elbow to test the temperature of the water or you can go out and get a bath thermometer. Never soak your feet, as this can dry your skin making it prone to crack.

2. While your feet are still wet, use a pumice stone to keep calluses under control making sure you don’t rub too hard.

3. Dry your feet carefully, especially between your toes. Some people whose feet perspire find comfort in applying a little powder in between the toes.

4. Thoroughly check your feet and between your toes on a daily basis to make sure there are no cuts, cracks, ingrown toenails, blisters, etc. If you are unable to easily inspect your feet, use a hand held mirror to see the bottom of your feet. If you are still having difficulty, ask someone else to check them for you.

5. Always clean cuts or scratches with mild soap and water, and cover with a dry dressing suitable for sensitive skin.

6. Trim your toenails straight across and file any sharp edges. Don’t cut the nails too short.

7. Apply lotion to your heels and soles, preferably lotion that does not have perfume in it. Wipe off any excess lotion that is not absorbed. Don’t put lotion between your toes, as the excessive moisture can promote infection.

8. Wear fresh clean socks and well-fitting shoes every day

I cannot stress it enough; your daily foot care routine along with managing your blood sugar will significantly make a difference between having a good quality of life vs. living with disability. Here are some other guidelines to ensure that your feet remain healthy. I call this my Do’s and Don’ts list.

Foot Care Do’s And Don’ts

Do wear well-fitting shoes. The shoes should be supportive, have low heels (less than 5 cm high) and should not rub or pinch your feet. It is a good idea to shop at a reputable store with knowledgeable staff that can professionally fit your shoes.

Do wear loose socks at night if your feet get cold.

Do elevate your feet when you are sitting.

Do wiggle your toes and move your ankles around for a few minutes several times a day.

Do exercise regularly to improve foot and leg circulation.

Do inspect your feet daily and in particular check for skin temperature differences between your feet.

Don’t wear high heels, pointed-toe shoes, sandals (open toe or open heel) or worn-out shoes.

Don’t wear anything tight around your legs, such as tight socks or knee-highs.

Don’t go barefoot, even indoors. Even if this means buying a pair of shoes for indoors and another pair for outdoors.

Don’t put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.

Don’t cross your legs for long periods of time.

Don’t smoke.

Don’t have pedicures by non-healthcare professionals.

I hope that this article has been informative and has provided you with good guidelines to take care of your feet. If you take these guidelines and use them on a daily basis, my goal will have been accomplished and you will have been given the opportunity to live your life to the fullest.