Uncontrolled diabetes may cause damage to your nerves and blood vessels and lead to foot problems. This, in turn, may make you less sensitive to injury or pressure on your foot. You may not notice foot injury until severe infection develops.

You should get regular foot exams -- at least twice yearly by your doctor, and check your feet daily.

Daily Foot Care Routine

• Wear shoes at all times to protect your feet from injury.
• Do not soak your feet. This causes too much moisture between the toes and Athlete’s foot.
• Check your feet every day. Inspect the top, sides, soles, heels, and between the toes.
• After bathing the feet, soften the dry cracked skin with lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin, or oil. Do not put lotion between your toes.
• Do not pull off loose pieces of skin.
• Keep your toenails trimmed.
Do not use commercial corn or wart remedies. These contain harmful acids that are very dangerous to diabetics.
• Avoid extremes, such as cold or heat, and if your feet are cold, wear warm boots. Never use hot water bottles or heating pads.
• Report sores, changes, or signs of infection to your doctor immediately.
• If you have a non healing wound, ask your doctor to refer you to a wound care specialist.

Back to Patient Resources >