If you have diabetes, you know that self-care can be overwhelming. When it comes to your feet, a few simple steps of diabetic foot care will keep you walking. Diabetes can affect the feet by lessening blood flow and causing nerve damage. Keep reading to learn how you can take good care of your feet and ensure they stay in good shape. 

How to Care for Your Feet if You Have Diabetes

1. Check Your Feet Every Day

Since diabetes can make the feet feel numb, you may not notice when your feet get a cut or blister. That’s why the most important part of diabetic foot care is to check your feet every single day. Look for any redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, and any changes in the skin. Don’t forget to look at the bottom of your feet too. Cover any blisters with a bandage, clean cuts well, and visit a podiatrist for any other issues that don’t go away.

2. Wash Your Feet Daily

Keeping your feet clean will prevent any infections if you do get a cut or sore. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean the feet, and don’t forget to pat them dry thoroughly. You can use lotion to massage your feet after cleaning them. 

3. Make Good Shoe Choices

Try to avoid going barefoot or wearing only socks, and protect your feet with well-fitting shoes so you don’t step on glass or anything else that could cut your feet. Make sure your shoes aren’t too small. Each day, put on a fresh pair of socks, and feel inside your shoes before putting them on to check for anything sharp, like pebbles. 

If you are looking for a podiatrist to help with your diabetic foot care, reach out to St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samual T. Wood-DPM LLC in St. Peters, MO. This foot doctor will work with your schedule to keep you on your feet. Whether you are dealing with a sprained ankle, need custom orthotics, have heel pain, or have any other foot problems, you can trust that your feet are in good hands. Call (636) 720-0190 to speak with a team member, or visit them online to learn more about their services.