Foot Care in Diabetes

Foot care in diabetes
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Diabetes causes your blood sugar levels to be higher than normal. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves in the body. Damage to the nerves means that you may have burning pain or lose feeling in a part of your body (this is called diabetic neuropathy). Damage to the blood vessels means that your feet may not be getting a good supply of blood.

How to avoid problems with your feet

Keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Also, follow your doctor’s advice on diet, exercise and medicine. Here are some other ways to protect your feet:


Examine your feet everyday. Examine from the top to the bottom of your foot. Look and feel in between your toes and around the heel area. Look for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, swellings, corns and calluses, ingrown toe nails, changes in skin colour and so on. If you are unable to see your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help you.

Wash your feet everyday with lukewarm (not hot) water and mild soap.

Do not soak your feet as this will make your skin too soft and fragile.

Do not use rough massage gloves or brushes as they can damage your skin.

Do not wash your feet for too long.

Dry your feet thoroughly with a soft towel and pat gently; don’t rub. Make sure you do not forget to dry between your toes. Damp skin can easily lead to infections.

Dust your feet with talcum powder, which will help keep them dry.

If you have dry skin on your feet, use a moisturising lotion to prevent cracking. Do not apply between your toes, as this may lead to infection.

Keep your toenails trimmed. Trim them with toenail clippers after you have washed and dried your feet. Trim the nails following the shape of your toes, and not too short. Do not cut into the corners of the nail, which may trigger an ingrown toenail. File your toenails with nail file to smoothen them.

Rasps for removing callus, razor blades, pointed scissors and corn plasters are widely used instruments in pedicure. Unfortunately, none of these are suitable for taking care of the feet and nails of people with diabetes, since they can easily cause injuries or damage to the skin. Use a pumice stone to remove callus, especially after washing the feet. Gently rub the stone over the callus in one direction only. Continue to do this for five minutes every day till the callus is being removed.

Always wear sandals when visiting the swimming pool.


Do not go barefoot, even when indoors.

Don’t let your feet get too hot or too cold.

Do foot exercises and massage your feet everyday to stimulate the circulation.

DO NOT go to the foot massage parlour to massage your feet as it may injure them.

If your feet have any cuts or abrasions, clean the wound immediately with saline, apply an antiseptic cream and secure a sterile dressing to the area. Continue with dressing until the wound is healed. Seek medical treatment if the wound does not show any signs of healing after two days...


This article was first published in The Star on 17. September 2006








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