Quick answer: Check your feet every day if you have diabetes. Look at the tops, bottoms, and between the toes for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Wash and dry them gently, moisturize (but not between the toes), and wear clean socks and shoes that fit well. Call a podiatrist right away about any open sore.
Why Do Diabetic Feet Need Daily Attention?
Diabetes affects feet in two quiet ways. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet, a problem called peripheral neuropathy. When that happens, you may not feel a blister forming, a pebble in your shoe, or a small cut on your heel. Diabetes can also narrow the small blood vessels that bring healing oxygen to your feet, so injuries mend slowly.
Put those two things together and a tiny scrape can grow into a deep wound before you ever feel pain. The good news is that a short daily routine catches most problems while they are still easy to treat. We teach this routine to patients in Safford and Sierra Vista every week, and it works.
Your Two-Minute Daily Foot Check
Pick a time you will remember, like right after your shower or before bed. Then follow the same steps every day:
- Look at every surface. Check the tops, soles, heels, and between each toe. Use a hand mirror or ask a family member if you cannot see the bottoms.
- Search for changes. Watch for cuts, blisters, cracks, redness, swelling, or one spot that feels warmer than the rest.
- Check your toenails. Look for thickening, ingrown edges, or color changes.
- Wash and dry. Use lukewarm water, test it with your elbow first, and dry carefully between the toes.
- Moisturize the tops and soles. Skip the spaces between toes, since trapped moisture invites fungus.
- Shake out your shoes. Feel inside for gravel, rough seams, or worn spots before you put them on.
The whole routine takes about two minutes. Those two minutes are the single best habit for protecting your feet.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Some findings need a phone call, not a wait-and-see approach. Any open wound, redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage on a diabetic foot deserves a call to our office the same week, and a same-day call if the area is spreading or you feel feverish. A sore that has not started to close within a few days is another red flag. Our wound care and limb salvage team treats these problems every day, and early treatment is the reason most of our patients heal without complications. Never wait on a wound that is not healing.
How We Care for Diabetic Feet at Our Offices
Dr. James Huish and Dr. Burkley Jensen provide complete diabetic foot care at both locations. A typical visit includes a nerve check with a soft filament, a circulation check, careful nail trimming, and safe removal of corns or calluses that could break down into sores. Depending on what we find, we may recommend protective diabetic shoes, cushioned inserts, or a schedule of regular preventive visits. If a wound is already present, we can begin treating it on site, often the same day you call.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
Call us the same day for an open sore with drainage, spreading redness, a foot that is suddenly warm and swollen, or skin that has turned dark. Call within the week for any new blister, cut, callus, or ingrown nail, even a small one. If you have diabetes and no current problems, plan a full foot exam at least once a year, and more often if you have numbness or a history of ulcers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my feet if I have diabetes?
Once a day, every day, at the same time if possible. Daily checks matter because nerve damage can hide pain, so your eyes have to do the work your nerves used to do. Most serious diabetic foot wounds start as small injuries that went unnoticed for days. A quick daily look closes that gap.
Can I trim my own toenails if I have diabetes?
If your sensation and circulation are good, trim nails straight across and file the corners smooth. Do not cut into the corners or trim too short. If you have numbness, poor circulation, thick nails, or trouble reaching your feet, let us handle nail care. A small nick can become a serious wound when feeling is reduced.
What shoes and socks are best for diabetic feet?
Choose shoes with a wide, deep toe box, a cushioned sole, and a smooth interior that does not rub. Shop later in the day, when feet are at their largest. Pick socks made of moisture-wicking material without tight elastic bands, and change them daily. Never walk barefoot, even indoors, because you may not feel what you step on.
This article is general education and is not a substitute for an exam with a podiatrist.
The team at Mountain Vista Foot & Ankle helps people with diabetes keep their feet healthy for life. Request an appointment today, or call our Safford office at (928) 348-3700 or our Sierra Vista office at (520) 515-3668.
