Daily Foot Care That Protects Your Feet

Foot problems in diabetes begin with a simple, dangerous combination: nerve damage means you do not feel an injury, and reduced blood flow means it heals badly. A small cut you never noticed becomes an infection that is hard to treat.

The prevention is genuinely a two-minute daily habit.

The daily check

Look at your feet every evening — use a mirror if you cannot see the soles, or ask someone. You are looking for:

• Cuts, cracks and blisters
• Redness or a warm spot, which often means infection before anything hurts
• Ingrown toenails
• Changes in colour or shape

The rest of the routine

• Wash with soap in warm — not hot — water, pat dry, and dry carefully between the toes.
• Cut toenails straight across, after washing, without cutting into the corners.
• Carry your own instruments to the salon for a pedicure.
• Do not sit with your legs crossed for long; wiggle your toes and elevate your feet when sitting.

Have your feet examined professionally at least once a year, or at every visit if you already have nerve damage. Get help the same day for a cut that is not healing, spreading redness or warmth, or any blackened, foul-smelling tissue.