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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • May 13, 2009

    Blog: Diabetes foot care

    By Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

15 comments posted

Warmer weather is here, and many of you will be kicking off your shoes at home, at the beach or in the park. But is that a good thing?

The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you may not notice a pebble in your shoe, so that you could develop a blister, then a sore, then a stubborn infection that might cause you to lose a foot or leg to amputation.

The American Diabetes Association provides some diabetes foot care tips to follow to keep your feet healthy:

  • Take care of your diabetes. Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in target range.
  • Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you can't see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
  • Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.
  • Ask your doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes.
  • Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
  • Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
  • If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.
  • Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
  • Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.
  • Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for five minutes, two or three times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time. Don't smoke.

Begin taking good care of your feet today. Set a time every day to check your feet. And let us know if you have any other tips.

- Peggy

15 comments posted

blog index

  • November 19, 2009 8:04 a.m.

    I went in to do a home visit on a pt I have never seen before. she is a parapelegic x 30yrs, plus mx health issues. Upon inspection of her feet I found all 10 toes reddened at the tips. I put in for a consult but suspect non repairable damage related to her Diabetic and physical dilemma. What do you think?

    - Kathleen

  • September 13, 2009 2:29 p.m.

    I found a shop that sells you a box of your own instruments, etc. I take it with me each time I get a pedicure. My particular person is well informed about diabetes and does a wonderful job. For me, it's not about having great looking polish on my toes, but I am able to get me feet taken care of at a local place instead of having to see a foot specialist every month (and pay a great deal of money) to have my toesnails clipped, etc. You do have to look around, however, to make sure the technicians are aware of diabetic care of the feet (I lucked out).

    - Chris

  • July 21, 2009 5:08 a.m.

    Be certain that your shoes fit with room to wiggle your toes. Look inside your shoes before putting them on, in case there are any foreign objects hiding in there, such as gravel, that could cause sores or irritation. Wear clean well-fitting socks.

    - maddy

  • July 6, 2009 6:23 p.m.

    This is a good article. Little tips like these go along way in maintaining the health of your feet.

    - Fancy Feet

  • June 17, 2009 6:40 p.m.

    A question about peripheral neuropathy on the feet. I'm considering getting the spinal cord stimulation(SCS) installed on a trial basis. Are there concerns about this method of treatment. I'm fairly active and tried medications neurotin etc., but didn't like the side effects. I'm tired and frustrated of the pain and the lack of being active for prolong periods.

    - Gabe

  • May 28, 2009 4:24 p.m.

    Yes, you can live without a pancreas. After you have a pancreas removed you become a type 1 diabetic and will be on insulin and other pancreatic enzyme replacements for the rest of your life.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 28, 2009 1:39 a.m.

    This has nothing to do with feet but can a person live without their pancreas. Had an email from a dear friend and her husband had most of his removed last year and the rest may have to be removed. He is sick again. No cancer involved. Thanks, Linda

    - Linda

  • May 22, 2009 11:32 p.m.

    Thank you for all the information. I am type 2 (pre-diabetic or actually diabetic, controlling by diet and exercise with readings in the 110's). Both my mother and grandmother were diabetic, and also a brother. I am really trying to take good care of my feet, going to see that the doctor checks them at my next appt.

    - Sally

  • May 21, 2009 1:15 p.m.

    One of the items says "check for red spots on your feet." What if you have these red spots - what to do about it? I saw my dermatologist yesterday and pointed them out to her and she said they might mean the psoriasis is trying to break out there. I somehow don't believe that. I do have psoriasis on my heels due to a reaction to a beta blocker that I have to take (my mother had psoriasis all over but this is first time I've experienced it and I'm 77 years old.

    - mary duc

  • May 21, 2009 8:15 a.m.

    For those of you who are struggling with this economy and maybe have little or no health care insurance, the American Diabetes website has health insurance information for people with diabetes. The web address is: http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/healthcare/insurance.jsp

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 20, 2009 8:46 a.m.

    Al and Jackie: Don't take any chances and get your feet checked out right away. Jackie, we would recommend that you check with social services in your area. Look in the county pages in your phone book. Social services can offer financial assistance services such as food and cash benefits and medical assistance to eligible families and individuals.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 20, 2009 1:19 a.m.

    I have diabetes 2 and have a bloody itchy rash on my left foot and its also swollen. no insurance HELP

    - jackie

  • May 20, 2009 1:07 a.m.

    I HAVE DIABETES 2 AND MY LEFT ANKLE HAS A RASH AN ITCHY BLOODLY ONE AND MY LEFT FOOY IS ALSO SWOLLEN QUIT BAD. I DO NOT HAVE INSURACE SO I DO NOT KNOW WAT TO DO.HELP

    - jackie

  • May 19, 2009 7:57 p.m.

    I found that exercise (bike, treadmill, etc.) helped my feet a lot. The foot specialist told me I had an excellent foot pulse. That's an improvement from when my toes were getting numb.

    - Carol Ann

  • May 16, 2009 9:42 p.m.

    Had my feet checked last month-I am type 2 diabetic. Today, in the shower, I noted that my feet are light on top by the toes. I felt the area and it is soft and pulpy. I have been doing heel lifts while standing at the theropist. Thank you.

    - AL CLEMENS

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