Caring for Your Feet When You're Diabetic

Here are some simple ways to prevent diabetes-related foot complications from happening to you.

While a small cut or blister on the foot isn’t usually a major cause for concern for most individuals, for those with diabetes, even the smallest foot injuries and problems can lead to infections, ulcers and other serious complications. From the office of our Huntington, NY, podiatrist Dr. William Weissinger, here’s how to properly care for your feet if you have diabetes.

Perform Daily Exams

Everyone with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should exam their feet each and every day to look for any changes or potential issues. Remember, even a small sore or blister can become infected so it’s important that you talk with your Huntington, NY, foot doctor if you notice any of these issues,  

• Redness
• Swelling
• Skin color changes
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Corns or calluses
• Open wounds or sores
• Dry, cracked skin

Know How to Care for Your Feet

You should be washing your feet at least once a day with warm water and mild soap. Make sure that the water isn’t too hot by testing it with your hand or elbow first (many people with diabetes have some degree of nerve damage in their feet and may not be able to tell if water is too hot).

After washing up, make sure to thoroughly dry your feet with a clean towel (don’t forget to dry between toes, too). To prevent skin from drying and cracking, apply a moisturizer to clean, dry skin.

When it comes to trimming your toenails it’s important that you know the proper form and technique to reduce your risk for ingrown toenails. You should always trim nails straight across, never curved or angled at the edges. The nails should be level with the tips of your toes. If you are unable to trim your toenails yourself, our podiatrist can do that for you at his Huntington, NY, practice.

Wear Properly Fitted Shoes and Socks 

It’s particularly important that you protect your feet if you have diabetes. Since many people with diabetes lack sensation in their feet, it’s possible to sustain an injury to the foot and not even know it. This is why it’s necessary to wear appropriate footwear every day, even if you’re indoors. Look for supportive, well-cushioned shoes and seamless breathable socks, as seams can chafe the skin.

We know that for our diabetic patients it’s particularly important that they can see a doctor right away when they are experiencing symptoms or problems. Our podiatrist is still providing emergency care to patients in Huntington, NY, who are experiencing serious foot and ankle problems. If you are dealing with an urgent health problem, you can reach us at (631) 271-8500.