9 Diabetic Foot Care Tips That Could Save Your Foot.

Diabetes is a chronic disease when the body does not produce enough insulin, or can’t effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. This leads to raised blood sugar levels. You may experience a dry mouth, itchy skin, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, and many more symptoms in undiagnosed diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes over time leads to damage to many body systems, especially small nerves and blood vessels such as the eyes, kidneys, heart and your feet.

How does diabetes affect the feet?

People with diabetes have a much higher risk of foot injuries and infections, especially in poorly managed diabetes, which results in nerve damage, known as ‘peripheral neuropathy’. This nerve damage decreases the sensations in the foot, so that a small cut on the bottom of your foot may go undetected and lead to a  severe infection. 

Poorly managed blood sugar levels also leads to poor circulation, called ‘peripheral vascular disease’, leading to poor healing and the potential for toe amputations. 

This is why it’s so important to take care of your feet and take extra precautions when you have diabetes. Here are nine diabetic foot care tips that could save your feet.

Diabetic foot care tips from a Podiatrist

You’ll be pleased to know that all of these foot care tips are easy to implement.  

1. Perform regular self-checks. 

Check your feet every day. It might be as soon as you wake up, when you get out of the shower, or before you go to bed, but make it a daily routine. Look for swelling, redness, cracks, and anything unusual. Remember to check between your toes!  

If this is challenging for you, try using a handheld mirror or have a relative or carer do this for you. Note any changes and address them immediately.  

 2. Treat wounds fast. 

If you see any cuts or blisters during your regular self-care checks, treat these immediately. Use an antiseptic and clean dressing. Never use over-the-counter corn plasters. If a wound isn’t healing or becomes red despite proper self-care, see your Podiatrist as soon as possible, or another medical professional. 

 3. Wash, dry & moisturise.  

Wash your feet every day to ensure bacteria and dirt go down the drain, and dry your feet thoroughly afterwards, especially between your toes. It’s important to dry between your toes to avoid tinea — a fungal infection leading to painful split skin between the toes. Excess moisture can also lead to split skin, and split skin is an opening for bugs. 

You should also moisturise your feet, especially dry skin, to help them retain elasticity in the skin, prevent dryness, and generally help the skin stay healthy. However, avoid doing this between the toes as sometimes the moisture can get trapped here and lead to the aforementioned tinea.  

 4. Remain active. 

Exercise is very important in lowering raised blood sugar levels, so staying on your feet is one of the best ways to care for them! Walking regularly is an easy way to manage your blood sugar levels, especially when combined with any drug therapy and a diet low in sugars. If you manage your diabetes appropriately, you’ll minimise the chances of developing complications that are associated with diabetes, such as peripheral neuropathy. 

 5. Monitor your glucose levels.  

In consultation with your GP or specialist, keep your glucose levels within the correct range and remember to remain active as this assists in the management of diabetes and controlling blood sugar levels. This is very important as when your sugar levels are elevated, serious damage occurs to your blood vessels and nerves. 

 6. Protect your feet.  

Do not walk barefooted outside, especially if you have a loss of sensation on the bottom of your feet. This prevents cuts and abrasions, but also shields them from the cold in winter and hot surfaces in summer. Your Podiatrist can test you for a loss of protective sensation on your feet. Always wear shoes on hot sand, pavements, concrete, outdoor tiles, and bitumen. You should also avoid very hot showers or baths, avoid heat packs or hot water bottles on your feet, and avoid putting your feet close to heaters.  

 7. Invest in the correct socks. 

What to buy. 

It sounds silly, but the right socks will make a world of difference for your feet.  

Speciality socks with copper yarn, silver and bamboo have antimicrobial properties and are perfect for people with diabetes. These socks reduce bacterial and fungal growth, are hypoallergenic, and draw moisture away. Otherwise, go for socks made from natural fibres (such as cotton or wool) to enable airflow, allow the feet to “breathe”, and reduce bacteria and fungus growth.  

You can also find socks with padded soles to protect the sensitive skin on the bottom of the foot. Shoe stores often sell diabetic foot socks with padded soles. 

 What not to buy.  

Nylon socks and stockings should be avoided as they don’t allow airflow. Ideally, there should be no seams on the inside of the socks or stockings. Over time, these points can rub on the foot and cause problematic corns, calluses, or ulcers. You also want to avoid socks with a tight band at the top as this may limit blood flow.  

 8. Invest in the correct shoes. 

What to buy. 

Make sure you get the correct size. Shoes that are too narrow or small can cause calluses, corns and ulcers, which can easily become infected. On the other hand, shoes that are too large can slip, causing friction which also leads to corns and calluses as well as blisters. Shoe sizes vary between brands and style, so have your feet measured at the shoe store.  

A shoe with laces or velcro will keep the foot secure and reduce rubbing. You should also wear-in new shoes gradually to avoid blisters and ulcers. If you regularly have issues of callus, corns, hammer toes or bunions, you may require a shoe that has extra width and depth to accommodate your foot better.  

 What not to buy. 

Don’t purchase slip-on shoes as these may slip on your feet as you walk. Avoid buying shoes online unless you’re familiar with the brand and fit and are certain of your shoe size — it’s important to try them on in person if you can.  

 9. Annual professional checks. 

You should have your feet professionally assessed by a Podiatrist annually, and more frequently if you suffer from any diabetic foot complications. If you suffer from foot deformities that lead to corns or callouses, it may be necessary to have treatment on a more regular basis to avoid infections or ulcerations from these deformities.  

Your annual examination, performed by your Podiatrist, will include a check for changes in your protective sensation and circulation, as well as any change in your foot structure and development of pressure areas which may become infected.  

Diabetic foot care at The Perth Podiatrists.

We provide exceptional diabetic foot care and can help you monitor, manage, and regulate a range of foot concerns that come with diabetes. Our Podiatrists are very knowledgeable on diabetes and its effect on the feet, and can all assess your circulation, sensations, and reflexes. 

Based in WA, we have accessible clinics in Duncraig and Woodlands. It’s easy to book your appointment online. We hope to see you soon!