Diabetic Foot Care

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Daily care routine

• Check your feet every day. Inspect the top, sides, soles, heels, and between the toes.
• Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap, and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Strong soaps may damage the skin.
• Test the temperature of the water before immersing your feet, because the normal ability to sense hot temperature is usually impaired in diabetics. Burns can easily occur.
• Gently and thoroughly dry the feet, particularly between the toes, because infections can develop in moist areas.
• Apply a thin coat of lubricating oil or lotion after bathing the feet. Because of skin changes associated with diabetes, the feet may become very dry and may crack, potentially causing an infection. Soften dry skin with lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin, or oil. Do not put lotion between your toes.
• Ask your health care provider to show you how to care for your toenails. Soak your feet in lukewarm water to soften the nail before trimming. Cut the nail straight across, since curved nails are more likely to become ingrown.
• Exercise daily to promote good circulation. Avoid sitting with legs crossed or standing in one position for prolonged periods of time.
• Stop smoking. It decreases blood flow to the feet.