1 – Daily foot and shoe checks. Be sure to inspect your feet daily. Look out for any areas of redness or cracking which can indicate increased pressure points. Keep an eye on any moles or marks on your feet to see if they are changing. When inspecting, look at the top and bottom of your feet as well as your heels and in between your toes. If you have difficulty reaching your feet, you can purchase a long-arm mirror to assist you. Always inspect the inside of your shoes prior to putting them on. Use your hands to feel for any rocks or pebbles that may have gotten inside. Look inside your shoes for any seams that may be wearing or rolling that can cause friction.
2 – Avoid walking barefoot. As diabetes progresses, you may experience loss of sensation in your feet. Loss of sensation means you will not be able to feel if you step on something sharp or painful. To prevent any cuts or injuries to your feet, always wear something with a protective sole even if you are in the house. Doing so will help prevent a portal of entry for bacteria into your foot which can lead to an infection and possible amputations.
3 – Moisturize. As part of diabetes, your skin may begin to become dry and scaly. Daily hydration with a cream or lotion that contains ammonium lactate or urea as an active ingredient can help. When applying to feet, apply on tops and bottoms as well as the heels. Be sure to avoid applying directly between your toes as doing so can create a condition of excess moisture.
4 – Proper shoe gear. One of the most important things you can do for your feet is make sure you are wearing proper shoes. Many shoes geared towards people with diabetes have extra depth and extra width. Diabetes can cause certain deformities such as bunions and hammer toes to progress. This may make finding properly fitting shoes difficult. Wearing a shoe that accommodates your foot type will help prevent areas of high friction and rubbing leading which may lead to open wounds that can become infected.
