If you have diabetes, the most powerful tool you have for preventing serious foot complications is a five-minute daily routine. I am not exaggerating.
The Daily Inspection
Every evening - same time, same place, good light, mirror if needed.
- Look at the tops, bottoms, sides, between every toe
- Look for redness, blisters, calluses, breaks in the skin, color changes
- Feel for warm or hot areas (compare to the other foot)
- Check inside your shoes before putting them on
If you see anything that wasn’t there yesterday, call my office. Do not wait.
Skin and Nail Care
Wash daily with mild soap and warm (not hot) water. Dry thoroughly between the toes. Moisturize the tops and bottoms of the feet - never between the toes. Trim nails straight across; if you cannot safely trim them yourself, see me for routine professional nail care.
Footwear
Shoes that fit. Always. New shoes broken in slowly. Never barefoot - not even at home. Diabetic-specific shoes for patients with neuropathy, deformity, or prior ulceration.
The Annual Comprehensive Exam
In addition to your daily routine, an annual diabetic foot exam catches subtle changes - early neuropathy, vascular changes, structural deformities - before they become wounds. This is not optional care.
