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Do's and Don'ts If You Have Diabetes
 Do:
Wash feet daily.
Using
mild soap and lukewarm water, wash your feet in the mornings or before bed each
evening. Dry carefully with a soft towel, especially between the toes,
and dust your feet with talcum powder to wick away moisture. If the skin
is dry, use a good moisturizing cream daily but avoid getting it between the
toes.
Inspect feet and toes daily.
Check your feet every day for cuts, bruises, sores or changes to the toenails,
such as thickening or discoloration. If age or other factors hamper
self-inspection, ask someone to help you, or use a mirror.
Lose weight.
People with diabetes are commonly overweight, which nearly doubles the risk of
complications.
Wear thick, soft socks.
Socks
made of an acrylic blend are well suited but avoid mended socks or those with
seams, which could rub to cause blisters or other skin injuries.
Stop smoking.
Tobacco can contribute to circulatory problems, which can be especially
troublesome in patients with diabetes.
Cut toenails straight across.
Never
cut into the corners, or taper, which could trigger an ingrown
toenail. Use an emery board to gently file away sharp corners or snags. If
your nails are hard to trim, ask your podiatric physician for assistance.
Exercise.
As a means to keep weight down and improve circulation, walking is one of the
best all-around exercises for the diabetic patient. Walking is also an
excellent conditioner for your feet. Be sure to wear appropriate athletic
shoes when exercising. Ask your healthcare professional what's best for you.
See your podiatric physician.
Regular checkups by your podiatric physician-at least annually-are the best way
to ensure that your feet remain healthy.
Be properly measured and fitted every time you buy new shoes.
Shoes
are of supreme importance to diabetes sufferers because poorly fitted shoes are
involved in as many as half of the problems that lead to amputations. Because foot size and shape may change over time, everyone should have their
feet measured by an experienced shoe fitter whenever they buy a new pair of
shoes.
New
shoes should be comfortable at the time they're purchased and should not
require a "break-in" period, though it's a good idea to wear them for
short periods of time at first. Shoes should have leather or canvas
uppers, fit both the length and width of the foot, leave room for toes to
wiggle freely, and be cushioned and sturdy.
Don'ts
Don't go barefoot.
Not
even in your own home. Barefoot walking outside is particularly dangerous
because of the possibility of cuts, falls, and infection. When at home,
wear slippers. Never go barefoot.
Don't wear high heels, sandals, and shoes with pointed toes.
These types of footwear can put undue pressure on parts of the foot and
contribute to bone and joint disorders, as well as diabetic ulcers. In
addition, open-toed shoes and sandals with straps between the first two toes
should also be avoided.
Don't drink in excess.
Alcohol can contribute to neuropathy (nerve damage) which is one of the
consequences of diabetes. Drinking can speed up the damage associated with
the disease, deaden more nerves, and increase the possibility of overlooking a
seemingly minor cut or injury.
Don't wear anything that is too tight around the legs.
Pantyhose,
panty girdles, thigh-highs or knee-highs can constrict circulation to your legs
and feet, as can men's dress socks if the elastic is too tight.
Never try to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself.
Commercial, over-the-counter preparations that remove warts or corns should be
avoided because they can burn the skin and cause irreplaceable damage to the
foot of a diabetic sufferer. Never try to cut calluses with a razor blade or
any other instrument because the risk of cutting yourself is too high, and such
wounds can often lead to more serious ulcers and lacerations. See your healthcare professional for assistance in these cases.
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