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Foot Care
for people with diabetes
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Foot Care
for people with diabetes
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Contents
As a Diabetic
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Nail Care
6
Hygiene
5
Corns and Callouses
Skin
Heat and Cold
7
8
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Shoes and Hosiery
10
Going on Holiday
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Further Information
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First Aid
12
Also Remember
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As a Diabetic
You may have been told that it is
especially important to take good care
of your feet. There are several reasons
for this.
Diabetes may hinder the blood supply
to your feet or it may affect the nerve
supply.
If there is poor blood supply, any cuts or
open wounds on the foot may be more
difficult than usual to heal.
If the nerve supply is affected, pain or
‘pins and needles’ may occur. This might
make it more difficult to recognise heat
or cold or the sensation of touch on the
skin. If loss of feeling occurs you may
not notice small cuts or damaged skin.
In fact, you may not feel pain at all.
Most people with diabetes, however, are
unlikely to have serious problems with
their feet and it should be remembered
that prevention is better than cure.
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Hygiene
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Wash your feet daily in warm water
(42°C or 110°F) using a bath
thermometer to check the
temperature before immersing
your feet.
Use a mild toilet soap.
Do not soak your feet - unless
advised to do so by your doctor
or podiatrist.
Pat dry with a soft towel taking care
to dry between your toes.
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Nail Care
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Cut when soft - after bathing.
Cut the edge following the shape
of the end of the toe. Do not cut
down the sides. Do not cut your
nails too short.
Use a good quality nail file or an
emery board to smooth the edge
of the nail, working in the line of
growth.
Never use a sharp instrument to
‘clean’ down the sides.
If you find your nails difficult to cut,
if they are troublesome, or if you
cannot see clearly to cut them,
consult your podiatrist.
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Corns and Callouses
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Leave these to your podiatrist.
Do not cut your corns and
callouses yourself or let a well
meaning friend or relative do them
for you.
Do not use corn paints or
plasters - these often contain acids
which can be dangerous.
If you require foot appliances or
special footwear, consult your
podiatrist as these can be made for
you by your podiatrist or obtained
through the hospital department.
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Skin
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Your skin may be very dry. If so,
use an emollient cream such as
E45 after daily bathing.
If your skin is very sweaty, dab with
a little surgical spirit.
After daily bathing, examine your
feet carefully watching for:
• any change in colour of any
part of the foot or leg;
• discharge from a break in the
skin, a corn or from under
a toe nail; and
• troublesome itching, pain,
throbbing or swelling.
If you notice any of these you should
seek advice immediately from either your
podiatrist or doctor.
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Heat and Cold
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Check the temperature of bath
water using a bath thermometer
- it must not exceed 42°C or 110°F.
Do not sit too close to fires or
heaters.
Remove hot water bottles before
getting into bed.
Switch off electric under-blankets
before getting into bed.
Bed socks, if worn, should be
woollen and must be loose fitting.
Avoid getting cold from wet feet
- dry them carefully and change
socks or stockings and footwear.
Keep feet warm especially in winter
- wear woollen socks.
Never use hot poultices or
fomentations.
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Shoes and Hosiery
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Make sure socks and stockings are
not too tight - these can have the
same effect as tight shoes.
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Change socks or stockings daily.
•
Wear wool or cotton instead
of nylon.
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Do not wear garters.
If socks or stockings have seams
around the toes, wear them ‘inside
out’ so the seam is not next to
the skin.
Have your feet measured when
buying shoes - they should be
correct in length, width and depth.
A suitable shoe is one which is held
securely onto your foot with
a lace, a bar or a buckle.
Never buy shoes which you feel
must be ‘broken in’.
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Ideally your shoes should:
• be made of soft leather;
• have no fancy stitching around
the toe area;
• have a heel of no more than
11/2 inches;
• have the heel attached firmly to
the sole of the shoe; and
• have a broad heel - not a
stiletto type.
•
Never wear someone else’s shoes.
•
Slippers are only suitable if worn for
short periods of time.
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Court and casual shoes should only
be worn for short periods of time.
Always check inside your shoes for
‘foreign’ objects or roughness
before putting them on.
Change shoes regularly - airing in
an open space after use.
For summer, open sandals with
adjustable straps are more suitable
than mules.
REMEMBER
The price of the shoe does not matter,
the maker of the shoe does not matter;
but the shape and fitting of the shoe
is important.
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First Aid
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Minor cuts should be gently
cleansed with warm water, dressed
with a mild antiseptic cream and
covered with a sterile gauze
dressing.
Cover a blister with a sterile gauze
dressing and leave to ‘dry up’ on
its own. If it breaks, apply an
antiseptic dressing and keep
covered until it has healed.
Never burst a blister.
Never place adhesive strapping
directly over a wound.
If minor injuries do not respond to
your own treatment within a few
days - it is advisable to see either
your podiatrist or doctor.
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Going on Holiday
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Long journeys on trains, buses and
planes can make your feet swell.
Walk up and down the aisle every
half hour as the exercise will help
keep the swelling down. Also take
a pair of adjustable sandals for
the journey.
Do not walk barefoot. Wear plastic
sandals on the beach and in
the sea.
Avoid sunburn to your feet and
legs. Use a high protection sun
screen or keep them covered.
Take some small sterile dressings,
antiseptic cream and non-allergic
plasters such as ‘Micropore’,
with you.
Remember to carry out the daily
examination of your feet.
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Also Remember
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Do not walk around with bare feet,
even in the house, or go outside in
soft soled shoes or slippers - nails
or splinters may go through such
footwear.
Be vigilant - even a mild infection
may upset your diabetes.
Podiatry treatment is available free
of charge for diabetics of any age
group from the National Health
Service.
Podiatrists working for the National
Health Service are registered with
the Health Professions Council.
If you attend a podiatrist privately,
make sure that they are registered
with this national body.
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It is recommended that all newly
diagnosed diabetics attend the
podiatrist for initial assessment
and advice.
Routine follow-up or treatment,
if required, will be arranged at your
hospital diabetic clinic or local
health centre.
The podiatrist is, after all, especially
trained to deal with your foot
problems and will provide you with
the appropriate help, advice and
treatment.
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Further Information
Nearest clinic:
Phone:
Your podiatrist is:
and is available at this clinic on:
Day:
Time:
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