As a diabetic, the best chance you have at reducing your risk of diabetes-related foot problems is to maintain tight control over your blood glucose. Beyond your diabetes treatment, taking good care of your feet by protecting them and staying vigilant about any signs of problems can prevent simple issues from spiraling out of control.

Protect Your Feet

When diabetes progresses and causes diabetic neuropathy, you will experience decreased sensation in your feet, making you prone to injuries. Always wear shoes and socks when you are outdoors and avoid any shoes that do not provide adequate protection, such as sandals or flip-flops. If you prefer to keep your shoes off indoors, at least wear socks. You should also be mindful about your environment. There may be designated areas in your home where you are more likely to step on objects, such as the garage or craft room. Keeping these areas clean by regularly sweeping and vacuuming might help you avoid pins or nails that are easily stepped on. If you drop a pin, nail, or another potentially hazardous metal object, try to find it quickly. Using a magnet can make it easier to find these objects, especially if they become hidden in your carpet or you have poor eyesight.

Be Cautious About Foot Care

Whether you or someone else handles your foot care, you will need to be more cautious about how you care for your feet and the products you use. Talk with your podiatrist for instructions on proper foot care techniques. There may be some aspects of your foot care that are best left to the podiatrist to ensure they are done safely. Use the appropriate types of nail clippers when trimming your nails. If your toenails are especially thick or difficult to cut, soaking them in warm water first can make the process easier. Avoid exfoliating your feet with metal files or other hash tools that might cause abrasions. Additionally, retail products used to remove corns and calluses should not be used to minimize the chance of injury. Although it can be difficult to give up pedicures or specialty foot treatments, it may be safer to avoid them, especially if they use drills or other harsh tools on your feet.

Minimize Pressure

As soon as you notice any areas on your feet where corns or calluses are beginning to develop, speak with your foot doctor about custom inserts that can be used to alleviate pressure. Customized inserts can do a better job at minimizing pressure points on your feet than those purchased at your local store. When you have diabetes, corns and calluses can become more than a nuisance or occasionally painful problem. Instead of simply developing thickened skin in these areas, your skin may begin to ulcerate. The ulcer may be obvious if it is on the surface of your feet, but sometimes the ulcer is under the thickened skin. Unfortunately, treating the ulcerated skin can be difficult due to the slow healing and increased risk of infections that occurs in diabetics. If you notice any signs of an ulcer, have the problem evaluated by a doctor quickly. Daily foot checks are necessary to catch any problems at the first sign.

Many diabetes-related foot problems can be minimized by checking your feet regularly so you notice problems in the early stages. Additionally, protecting your feet, especially when outdoors, can help you avoid most injuries from stepping on hazardous objects.