The 5 Do's and Don'ts of Diabetic Foot Care
It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, and although we’ve recently written a blog on what diabetic neuropathy feels like, we at Goldsmith Podiatry aren’t done dishing out some cold, hard diabetic articles. This week’s installment: what to do (and not do) when it comes to caring for your diabetic feet. Stick around.
The DO'S
DO Check Your Feet Daily. Since neuropathy might prevent you from feeling pain, you must visually inspect your feet every single day. The tops, bottoms, heels, and especially between the toes. Use a mirror if you need to check the soles. Look for cuts, redness, blisters, or swelling.
DO Wear Protective Footwear. Make supportive shoes and socks your uniform. Always wear shoes with cushioned soles and wide toe boxes, and never walk barefoot, even inside your house. A hidden splinter or sharp pavement could cause an injury you might not feel.
DO Choose Seamless Socks. Invest in high-quality, moisture-wicking diabetic socks. They are designed without irritating seams that can cause friction, and they help keep your feet dry, which wards off fungal infections. We can recommend the best ones.
DO Trim Toenails Straight Across. When you trim your toenails, always cut straight across. Avoid rounding the corners or cutting too short, as this is the number one cause of ingrown toenails.
DO See a Podiatrist Regularly. Make appointments with your foot doctor a priority, even if your feet feel fine. We can perform circulation and nerve screenings, address tricky calluses safely, and catch problems before they become problems.
The DON'TS
DON'T Ignore Any Wound. If you find a cut, blister, or sore, do not try to treat it with home remedies, sharp tools, or strong chemicals. Clean it gently, apply a sterile bandage, and call your podiatrist immediately. Any wound that doesn't show signs of healing within 24 hours needs professional attention.
DON'T Use Harsh Heat or Cold. Never use heating pads, hot water bottles, or very hot soaks on your feet. Neuropathy can prevent you from accurately sensing temperature, meaning you could easily sustain a severe burn without knowing it.
DON'T Cut Corns or Calluses Yourself. Never use razors, scissors, or medicated patches with salicylic acid. These products are risky and can lead to severe infection. Leave the thick skin reduction to a professional podiatrist like us.
DON'T Soak Your Feet for Long Periods. While quick foot washing is necessary, prolonged soaking can dry out your skin and make it fragile, which will increase the risk of cracking and infection.
DON'T Wear Tight Shoes or Sandals: Avoid footwear that compresses your toes, rubs your skin, or leaves your feet exposed. Tight dress shoes and heels are major sources of injury.
If you’re looking for more foot care tips, give us a call at (212) 877 1002 so Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina T. Ruff at Goldsmith Podiatry can help guide you in the right direction.