How to Protect Your Feet While Managing Diabetes

If you have diabetes, caring for your feet is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your overall health. High blood sugar takes a toll on both circulation and nerve function, making your feet more vulnerable to injuries and infections. Hard-to-heal sores (ulcers) increase your risk of widespread infection and elevate the risk of amputation, too.

At Forward Foot & Ankle, our team has extensive experience helping women and men protect their feet while reducing the risks associated with diabetes. Here, learn some simple things you can do to take care of your feet and avoid complications associated with diabetes.

Check your feet every day

Diabetes increases your risk of nerve damage, making it harder to feel tiny injuries like cuts and blisters. At the same time, diabetes impairs your body’s ability to heal. If nerve damage prevents you from feeling an injury, treatment can be delayed, increasing your risk of developing deep sores and infections.

One of the best ways to avoid diabetic ulcers (and complications like amputation) is to carefully check your feet every day, looking for sores, abrasions, corns, blisters, and cracked skin. If your legs and ankles are stiff, use a mirror to see the soles of your feet or ask a loved one to inspect areas you can’t see on your own. Even small wounds should be taken seriously to reduce your risk of serious complications.

Choose the right footwear

Wearing supportive, comfortable shoes is always a smart idea, but if you have diabetes, it’s even more important. That’s because ill-fitting shoes can quickly lead to sores, blisters, and corns, especially in areas of friction, like your heels, toes, and the balls of your feet.

When shopping for shoes, look for footwear with plenty of room in the toebox, as well as ample arch support and cushioning along the heel and sides to avoid creating pressure points. Breathable materials help your feet breathe, which in turn reduces the risk of fungal infections.

Avoid walking barefoot to prevent stubbed toes and other injuries, and choose socks that wick away moisture. Many people with diabetes benefit from custom orthotics tailored to their unique foot shape, gait, and other variables.

Keep feet clean and moisturized

Daily footbaths with warm water and mild soap help remove dirt and germs that can cause infections — and provide an ideal opportunity to examine your feet as well. After your bath, dry your feet thoroughly, including the areas between your toes.

Apply a rich moisturizer to keep skin supple, but avoid the areas between your toes to avoid excess friction and fungal infections. When trimming your toenails, cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails.

Prioritize circulation

Good blood flow helps your feet stay healthy, but diabetes can sometimes affect circulation. To encourage blood flow, avoid sitting with your legs crossed for extended periods and elevate your feet whenever possible.

When sitting for long periods, such as during travel, make a point to move around whenever possible. If you can’t get up and walk around, try exercising in place by flexing your feet and moving your ankles in small circles.

Quit smoking

If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important steps you can take to lower your risk of foot ulcers and potential amputation. The toxins in cigarettes and other tobacco products injure blood vessel walls, making it easier for sticky plaque to build up and block circulation.

At the same time, nicotine and other harmful chemicals cause blood vessels to tighten, cutting off the steady supply of oxygen and nutrients that wounds need to heal properly and fight infection. Poor circulation also deprives nerves of nourishment, increasing the risk of nerve damage that can make small injuries more difficult to detect.

Schedule regular diabetic foot evaluations

Even if you don’t have issues such as sores or ingrown nails at the moment, regular checkups are still essential. These visits allow our doctors to monitor your foot health and identify potential concerns before they develop.

At the same time, we’ll guide you in tailoring your foot-care routine to fit your daily life, helping you keep your feet strong, healthy, and free from wounds. To schedule your diabetic care visit, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Forward Foot & Ankle in Midtown Manhattan and Staten Island, New York, today.