Key Takeaways
- If you have diabetes, you should check your feet every day for cuts, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns or calluses.
- Diabetes can damage nerves and lower blood flow, so small foot problems may go unnoticed and turn into serious wounds.
- Any sore, blister or ulcer that does not heal should be seen by a doctor right away, even if it does not hurt.
- Most people with diabetes should get a complete foot exam at least once a year, and more often if they have nerve damage.
- Prima CARE's podiatry team in Fall River offers expert foot and ankle care for patients from Somerset, Swansea and nearby towns, and you can request an appointment online.
Why Diabetes Puts Your Feet at Risk
High blood sugar over time can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. According to the CDC guide to diabetes and your feet, about half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage. This is called diabetic neuropathy. It can make it hard to feel pain, heat or cold.
When you cannot feel a small cut or blister, it can get worse without you knowing. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) page on foot complications explains that people with diabetes are far more likely to have a foot or leg amputated than other people. The good news is that the ADA also says most amputations can be prevented with daily foot checks, regular doctor visits and proper shoes.
Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range also protects your feet. The Prima CARE blog on managing Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes shares practical ways to get started.
How to Do a Daily Diabetic Foot Check
A daily foot check only takes a few minutes. A good time is in the evening when you take off your shoes.
Step-by-Step Foot Check
- Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Test the water with your elbow first.
- Dry your feet well, especially between your toes.
- Look at the tops, bottoms, heels and between your toes. Use a mirror or ask a family member for help if you cannot see well.
- Check for changes, such as cuts, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns, calluses or changes in your toenails.
- Moisturize the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
- Check your shoes for small stones or sharp objects before putting them on.
Daily Foot Care Do's and Don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Check your feet every day | Walk barefoot, even at home |
| Trim toenails straight across | Soak your feet |
| Wear clean, dry socks and well-fitting shoes | Try to remove corns or calluses yourself |
| Keep blood sugar in your target range | Smoke |
If you have trouble reaching your feet, the CDC recommends having a podiatrist trim your toenails. A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) who specializes in the feet and ankles. The Prima CARE blog on ingrown toenail home care vs. when you need a foot doctor explains why people with diabetes should not try to treat ingrown nails at home.
Warning Signs That Need Prompt Care
According to the CDC, see your doctor right away if you notice:
- Tingling, burning or pain in your feet.
- Loss of feeling, or trouble sensing heat or cold.
- A blister, sore, ulcer, infected corn or ingrown toenail.
- A change in the color or temperature of your foot.
The ADA adds that every ulcer should be seen by a doctor right away, even if it does not hurt. A foot that becomes red, warm and swollen, or a wound that turns dark or smells bad, needs urgent care.
How Often Should You See a Foot Specialist?
The CDC recommends a complete foot exam at least once a year, and more often if you have nerve damage. You should also take off your shoes and socks at every doctor visit so your provider can check your feet.
You may need to see a podiatrist more often if you have:
- Nerve damage or loss of feeling.
- Poor blood flow to your feet.
- Changes in the shape of your feet, such as bunions or hammertoes.
- A history of foot ulcers.
If you have bunions, the Prima CARE guide to bunion causes, shoe fixes and when surgery makes sense can help you choose safer footwear.
How Prima CARE Helps Protect Your Feet
The Prima CARE podiatry team in Fall River treats a wide range of foot and ankle problems, including calluses, corns, fungal infections, ingrown toenails and foot surgery. Fall River is a short drive for patients in Somerset and Swansea.
Prima CARE's podiatrists can also work closely with the Prima CARE endocrinology team, who help patients manage diabetes. This team approach helps you protect your feet and your overall health.
Protect Your Feet With Prima CARE's Foot and Ankle Specialists
Daily foot checks and regular exams are some of the best ways to prevent serious diabetic foot problems. Prima CARE's podiatrists can catch small issues early and help you keep your feet healthy.
Request an appointment with Prima CARE to schedule a diabetic foot exam with the Prima CARE podiatry team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a person with diabetes check their feet?
You should check your feet every day. Look for cuts, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns, calluses or nail changes.
Why should people with diabetes not go barefoot?
Diabetes can cause nerve damage that makes it hard to feel injuries. Walking barefoot raises the risk of cuts or burns you may not notice.
What does a diabetic foot ulcer look like?
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound, often on the bottom of the foot. It may or may not hurt. Any ulcer should be seen by a doctor right away.
Where can I find a diabetic foot doctor near me in Somerset or Swansea, MA?
Prima CARE's podiatry team is located in nearby Fall River, MA. Patients from Somerset and Swansea can request an appointment online.
Should I see a podiatrist if my feet feel fine?
Yes. Diabetes can damage nerves without causing pain, so a yearly foot exam is important even if your feet feel normal.
