Sometimes we take our tootsies for granted, but it is important not to neglect your feet. We spend much of our lives walking around on them, so it is a good idea to ensure they are in tiptop shape. These tips are especially important to heed if you are diabetic.

1. Wash often and dry thoroughly – clean tootsies will likely have less issues, especially when it comes to skin infections. However, it is important to dry them well because damp feet encourage fungi and bacteria to flourish and can lead to issues like athlete’s foot. Be sure to change your socks frequently to keep your feet fresh and odor-free.
2. Support your arches – It is of utmost importance to buy quality footwear that has good arch support so your arch doesn’t start to fall. If you have fallen arches or foot issues, you should visit a podiatrist to get fitted for custom orthotics and wear them all the time. Avoid high heels.
3. Limit flipflop time – Typical flat flipflops are extremely bad for your feet as they are completely flat and offer no arch support (Birkenstock’s are much better). They may also expose your feet to sharp objects or harmful bacteria. Try to limit your time in flipflops to the beach or public showers, where they may protect your feet from infections like athlete’s foot or plantar warts.
4. Take care of callouses – callouses can creep up on you and they may be hard to treat once they are very thick. It is a good idea to take care of callouses a couple times a week to stay on top of them. Once they become thick, they can become inflamed and crack which can be very painful.
5. Take good care of your nails – Trim your toenails regularly, but be careful not to cut into the sides of the nail or cut too far down as this can cause an ingrown nail, a very painful foot condition. Keeping your nails trimmed will help keep your feet clean and help avoid nail problems.
6. Pamper those paws – give yourself a nice foot rub with some moisturizer after a shower or bath. This will not only help keep your skin hydrated and healthy, but will also help lower your stress level and make you feel good. Be careful not to apply moisturizer between your toes as that can encourage growth of bacteria.
7. Keep moving – To avoid circulation problems or venous issues, be sure to get enough exercise. If you can’t get much exercise, at least be sure to move your feet regularly: stretch them out and move your feet around a few times daily to keep the blood flowing well. Try not to cross your legs or sit for long periods of time either. As with many on this list, this tip is especially relevant to diabetics, as they often have more circulation problems than those who do not have the disease.

8. Be on the lookout for trouble – Perform a regular foot check to catch any issues that may be developing such as bunions, sores, slow-healing wounds, cracks, swelling, redness or blisters. Any of these issues can be cause for a doctor or podiatrist visit as some of them may be signs of diabetic neuropathy.

That concludes our foot care tips, feel free to contact our board certified physicians who are standing by 24/7/365 if you need any medical advice. Thanks for visiting DocChat!