Diabetes Foot Care Tips

When you have diabetes, taking care of your feet is a vital component of your self-care routine. Diabetes nerve damage can impair your capacity to sense pain, heat, and cold. This means that you may not notice a foot injury, such as a cut or blister, until it becomes infected. Nerve damage can even create changes in the contour of your feet and toes, making ordinary shoes unpleasant and potentially harmful to your feet.

Diabetes causes blood vessels to thin and harden, resulting in impaired circulation (blood flow), which is another cause of foot issues. Poor circulation makes fighting infection and healing more difficult for your foot.

Practice Good Daily Foot Care

Wash your feet thoroughly every day, but avoid using hot water. Instead, wash your feet with warm soapy water and inspect them for sores, wounds, blisters, corns, or redness. Dry your feet well and apply a light moisturizer. Avoid moisturizing between your toes, as this can lead to infections.

How to Trim Your Toenails

Toenails should be kept clipped since long or thick nails can press against neighbouring toes and cause open sores. Toe nails should be trimmed straight across—cutting into the corners of the nail might result in ingrown toenails. Finish by filing down any sharp edges with an emery board.