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In
the Spotlight
Taking
Care of Your Feet: A Guide for People with Diabetes
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If
you have diabetes,
taking care of your feet is very important. Nerve damage that
can result from the diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in
your feet. You may not feel a blister caused by poorly fitting
shoes, or a pebble inside your sock that is causing a sore.
Foot
injuries such as these can cause ulcers
or other vascular damage that may lead to amputation. Taking
good care of your feet is most important if you have a loss
of feeling in your feet, changes in the shape of your feet,
or foot ulcers or sores that do not heal.
What
Can I Do to Take Care of My Feet?
By
keeping your blood sugar (glucose) level in good control and
taking care of your feet, you can help avoid serious foot problems.
Here are some tips on how:
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Take
care of your diabetes
Make healthy lifestyle choices to keep your blood sugar
close to normal. Keeping your blood sugar under good control
may help prevent or delay diabetes-related foot problems,
as well as eye and kidney disease.
Work
with your health care team to make a plan that fits your lifestyle.
Your team will help you to:
Know
how and when to test your blood sugar.
Take prescribed medicines.
Eat regular meals that contain a variety of healthy, low-fat,
high-fiber foods including fruits and vegetables each day.
Increase your physical activity each day.
Follow your foot care plan.
Keep your doctors appointments and have your feet, eyes, and
kidneys checked at least once a year.
-
Check
your feet every day
You may have serious foot problems, but feel no pain. Check
your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected
toenails. Find a time (evening is best) to check your feet
each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine.
If
you have trouble seeing your feet, use a mirror to help. You
can also ask a family member or caregiver to help you.
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Wash
your feet every day
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Dont soak your feet,
because your skin will get dry.
Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between your toes. Use
talcum powder to keep the skin between your toes dry.
Keep
the skin soft and smooth
| Call
Your Doctor! |
| Make
sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, sore,
blister, or bruise on your foot does not begin to
heal after one day. |
|
Rub
a thin coat of skin lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the
tops and bottoms of your feet.
Do
not put lotion or cream between your toes, because this might
cause an infection.
Smooth
corns and calluses gently
After
bathing or showering, use a pumice stone to smooth corns
and calluses. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth
the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing
the skin.
Do
not cut corns and calluses. Dont use razor blades, corn plasters,
or liquid corn and callus removers they can damage your skin.
If you have corns and calluses, check with your doctor or foot
care specialist.
-
Trim
your toenails each week or when needed
Trim your toenails with clippers after you wash and dry your
feet. Trim them straight across, and smooth them with an emery
board or nail file.
Dont cut into the corners of the toenail. If you cant see
well, or if your toenails are thick or yellowed, have your
doctor or foot care specialist trim them.
-
Wear
shoes and socks at all times
Wear shoes and socks at all times. Dont walk barefoot
not even indoors because it is easy to step on something
and hurt your feet.
Always wear socks, stocking, or nylons with your shoes to
help avoid blisters and sores. Choose socks made of cotton
or wool. They help keep your feet dry.
Check the insides of your shoes before you put them on to
be sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects
in them.
Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
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Protect
your feet from hot and cold
Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement, and put sunscreen
on the top of your feet to prevent sunburn.
Keep your feet away from radiators and open fire, and dont
put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet. Wear
socks at night if your feet get cold. Lined boots are good
in winter to keep your feet warm.
Check your feet often in cold weather to avoid frostbite.
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Keep
the blood flowing to your feet
Put your feet up when you are sitting.
 Wiggle
your toes for five minutes, two or three times a day. Move
your ankles up and down and in and out to improve blood flow
in your feet and legs, and dont cross your legs for long
periods of time.
Dont wear tight socks, elastic or rubber bands, or garters
around your legs.
Dont smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to your feet. (Check
the PersonalMD Stop Smoking Center for information on how
to stop if you currently smoke.)
If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, work
with your health care team to lower it.
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Be
more active
Ask your doctor to help you plan an activity program that
is right for you. Walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling
are good forms of exercise that are easy on the feet.
Avoid activities that are hard on the feet, such as running
and jumping. Include a short warm-up and cool-down period,
and wear well-fitting athletic shoes that provide good support.
What
Should I Ask My Doctor?
When
talking to your doctor, ask him or her how often you need to
have your feet checked. If you have serious foot problems, they
should be checked at every visit; if not, your feet should be
checked at least once a year.
When
checking your feet, your doctor should check the sense of feeling
and pulses in your feet. Ask your doctor to show you how to
care for your feet and demonstrate any techniques that you will
do at home, such as how to cut your toenails properly.
Proper
footwear is important for healthy feet. Talk to your doctor
about the type of shoes you normally wear and whether or not
you may need special shoes or insoles.
Proper
footwear is important to keeping your feet healthy. Shoes made
of canvas or leather are usually good for daily wear. They support
your feet and allow them to breathe.
Avoid
wearing vinyl or plastic shoes as they dont stretch or allow
your feet to breathe. Shoes that have pointed toes or high
heels should also be avoided as they put too much pressure on
your toes.
Get
started now. Begin taking care of your feet today. You can do
it!
| Medicare
Coverage for Special Footwear |
| Ask
your doctor about Medicare coverage for special footwear.
You may need special shoes or shoe inserts to prevent serious
foot problems. If you have Medicare Part B insurance, you
may be able to get some of the cost of the special shoes
or inserts paid for. Ask your doctor whether you qualify
for: one of the following: |
- One
pair of custom molded shoes (including inserts) and
two additional pairs of inserts, OR
- One
pair of depth shoes and three pairs of inserts. Depth
shoes look like athletic or walking shoes, but have
more room in them. The extra room allows for different
shaped feet and toes, or for special inserts made to
fit your feet.
|
| If
you qualify, your doctor or podiatrist will tell you how
to get your special shoes. |
Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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