Diabetic foot care

Why foot checks matter with diabetes

Over time, diabetes can affect your feet in two main ways:

• Less feeling. Nerve damage can make it hard to feel a cut, blister, or a pebble in your shoe. A small injury can go unnoticed.
• Slower healing. Poor blood flow can make sores slow to heal and easier to get infected.

Together, these mean a small problem can turn into a bigger one before you know it is there. Regular checks help find problems early.

What a diabetic foot exam covers

A diabetic foot exam is a careful look at the health of your feet. In general, your doctor will:

• Look at your skin and nails for cuts, sores, calluses, color changes, or signs of infection.
• Check the feeling in your feet with simple, painless tests.
• Check the pulses in your feet to get a sense of your blood flow.
• Look at the shape of your feet and any areas of pressure.
• Look at your shoes and talk about what fits and protects your feet.

Ask your doctor how often you should come in for a foot exam. It depends on your own health.

Daily foot checks at home

A quick check each day is one of the best habits you can build. Pick a time, like bedtime, and make it part of your routine.

• Look at both feet. Check the tops, bottoms, heels, and between the toes. Use a mirror, or ask someone to help.
• Wash and dry gently. Use warm water, not hot. Dry well between your toes.
• Keep skin soft. Use lotion on dry skin, but not between your toes.
• Wear shoes and socks. Avoid going barefoot, even at home. Check inside your shoes before you put them on.
• Do not treat problems yourself. Do not cut corns or calluses, or dig at an ingrown toenail. Let us take care of it.

Warning signs that need a prompt call

Call us at (541) 385-7129 soon if you notice:

• A sore, cut, or blister that is not healing.
• New redness, swelling, or warmth in your foot or ankle.
• Drainage, or fluid, coming from a wound or under a nail.
• A change in skin color on your foot or toes.
• New numbness, tingling, or burning.
• Thick, discolored, or fungal nails, or an ingrown nail.

When a sore needs care

Foot sores in people with diabetes need close care to heal well. Our doctors treat slow-healing wounds and help you protect the area while it heals. Read about diabetic wound care.

Caring for a parent with diabetes

If you help an aging parent, their feet are worth a look. Many older adults cannot easily see or reach their own feet. Some may not notice, or may not mention, a problem.

• Offer to look at their feet when you visit, or help them use a mirror.
• Watch for changes in how they walk, or shoes they suddenly stop wearing.
• Help them keep up with regular foot exams.
• Write down questions to bring to the visit.

Family members are welcome to come along to visits.

You can call to request an appointment on their behalf.

Have their insurance card handy when you call. See the insurance plans we accept.

Questions people ask

This page is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own feet, talk with your doctor.