Diabetes and your Feet

Anyone with diabetes should follow these steps to protect from foot complications:

• Check you feet daily. Look for any redness, swelling blisters, cuts or abnormalities. If you have difficulty reaching your feet, use a mirror to see under your foot. If you have poor eyesight, ask a relative or friend to help you. If you notice any problems, see your podiatrist or doctor.
• Have a podiatrist check your feet every year for nerve and blood circulation problems.
• Do not soak you feet for long periods or use talc powder.
• If you have dry skin, use Sorbolene daily before going to bed, however take care to ensure that it doesn’t stay between toes and cause moistness.
• Cut toenails straight across and do not cut down the edges if you have nail deformities. Your podiatrist can advise you on the best way to care for your nails.
• Wear clean socks and stockings every day. Make sure that they fit to avoid blisters. Seamless non-elastic rimmed socks are recommended by Diabetes Australia.
• Check you shoes for stones, nails or rough areas daily before you put them on.
• Do not use ‘home cures’ to treat corns and calluses – see you doctor or podiatrist.
• Be careful if using hot water bottles, electric blankets or heaters.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle – exercise regularly with a balanced diet.
• If you smoke, STOP. Smoking further reduces your blood supply.

For further reading on conditions that can be associated with diabetes and the at risk foot please see below.