What would be the most important feature of foot care for a diabetic?

Wash and carefully dry your feet every day . Take special care to gently dry between your toes. Very lightly moisturise your feet every day, but not between toes. Wear well fitting and sensible shoes.

What is the first rule of diabetic foot care?

1. Inspect your feet daily . Check your feet for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet.

Should diabetics wear socks to bed?

Wear socks without seams. Avoid tight-fitting socks and garters. Wear socks in bed if your feet are cold at night . Do not use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet.

Do diabetics get free foot care?

Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check. Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it's free on the NHS . This is because you're more likely to have serious foot problems and these can lead to amputations.

Why can't you cut diabetic toenails?

People with diabetes can easily get wounds on their feet. Improper cutting or care of toenails and feet is the leading cause that could lead to toe finger and foot amputation .

What is the rule of 50 for diabetic foot?

50% Lower limb amputation begin with a foot ulcer . 50% will have an amputation in contralateral limb within 2 years. 50% will die within 5 years of 1st major AK or BK lower limb amputation.

What part of the foot hurts with diabetes?

When you have diabetes, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and blood vessels. Because the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are so long and delicate, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.

What is the best ointment for diabetic foot wounds?

Clotrimazole is one of the most effective ointments for preventing and treating infections in diabetic foot ulcers.

What vitamins should diabetics avoid?

It's also important to note that supplements and other herbal supplements should never replace medical treatment. The five supplements mentioned above – vitamin E, St. John's wort, ginseng, niacin, and chromium – all have the potential to interfere with blood sugar control or interact with diabetes medicines.

Is vaseline good for diabetic feet?

Lubrication – Use an emollient to keep the skin soft and prevent dryness and cracking. Aquaphor, Lanolin, Vaseline, or Eucerin cream usually works quite well . Nail Care – Cut nails straight across using a clipper, not scissors. File sharp edges to prevent irritation of the adjacent toes.

What color are diabetic toenails?

In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue . Often this coloring has to do with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails. This kind of yellowing isn't harmful. It doesn't need to be treated.

What is the recommendation for diabetic foot?

The management of diabetic foot ulcers requires offloading the wound, [ 6 , 7 ] daily saline or similar dressings to provide a moist wound environment, débridement when necessary, antibiotic therapy with or without surgical intervention if osteomyelitis or soft tissue infection is present, [ 9 , 10 ] optimal control of blood ...

What advice should a nurse give a diabetic client on how to care for his feet?

Daily foot care Suggestions to help prevent foot problems in people with diabetes who suffer from neuropathy or vascular disease include: Check your feet daily for signs of swelling, redness or heat – these may be signs of infection. Wash your feet daily and dry well between the toes.

Diabetes - foot care (2024)

Diabetes and feet

Foot care is particularly important if you have diabetes.

Foot problems are a common complication of this condition.

Your feet can be affected in 2 ways. Blood supply may be affected, resulting in slower healing. You may also lose some feeling in your feet due to nerve damage. A person whose nerves are damaged by diabetes may not realise they have minor cuts or blisters, which can lead to ulcers.

Foot problems can be avoided if you take care of your feet and act quickly when you have a problem. Get your feet checked at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist to detect problems early and help prevent complications.

Circulation in people with diabetes

Poor blood circulation can affect the blood supply to your feet. When this is reduced, cuts and sores may not heal. An early sign of poor circulation to the feet may be pain or cramps in the backs of your legs when walking.

Circulation problems can be caused by hardening or narrowing of arteries as they become clogged up. Common causes include:

How to improve circulation for people with diabetes

Suggestions to improve your blood circulation include:

Control your blood fat levels.
Keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.
Don’t smoke. Smoking causes spasm and narrowing of blood vessels. Smokers have more heart attacks, strokes and circulation problems than non-smokers.
Exercise daily. A brisk walk will help keep the blood flowing around your body.

All people with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist.

This is important to detect problems early and to prevent ulcers and other complications.

You may have heard it said that diabetes causes gangrene (dead, black tissue). Most cases of gangrene result from delayed treatment of foot injuries.

Daily foot care

Suggestions to help prevent foot problems in people with diabetes who suffer from neuropathy or vascular disease include:

Buying new shoes

Suggestions include:

Don’t be rushed into buying shoes that you aren’t completely happy with.
Avoid open-toed shoes and narrow toes.
Have your feet measured and try on the shoes to check they are long enough, wide enough and deep enough.

Nerve supply to the feet

Nerves are the ‘wiring’ of the body. They carry messages (feelings) to your brain from the rest of your body. The nerves to your feet are the most likely to be affected by diabetes.

Damaged nerves (neuropathy) can cause painful, numb or insensitive feet. Minor cuts, blisters or burns may not be felt and ulcers can develop, which you may not be aware of.

Some people with neuropathy experience uncomfortable sensations such as burning, tingling and pain. This is often worse at night.

It is important to remember that many people with nerve damage have no symptoms and are unaware of the problem. Nevertheless, they are still at risk of developing ulcers.

How to avoid injury to feet with damaged nerves

Suggestions include:

Never go barefoot.
Wear appropriate shoes to protect your feet.
Avoid injury by wearing well-fitting, protective shoes – do not wear open-toed shoes.
Keep toenails trimmed. Cut toenails along the shape of the toe and file rough edges.
Have corns or calluses treated by a podiatrist.
Check the temperature of your bath water with your elbow before stepping into the bath.
Be careful not to put your feet too close to radiant heaters.
Every 6 months, check for signs and symptoms that may indicate you have a problem. These may include reduced circulation or sensations, abnormal foot structure or poor hygiene.

See a podiatrist

Podiatrists are experts in looking after feet and lower limbs.

They are highly trained health professionals who deal with the prevention, diagnosis and management of foot problems.

You don’t need a referral to seek advice or treatment from a podiatrist, however, a referral from your doctor under a team care arrangement can assist in covering the fee for this service.

If you have circulation problems or reduced feeling in your feet:

See a podiatrist at least once each year.
Do not attempt to treat corns and calluses yourself.

When to see your doctor

See your doctor if:

you develop pain, throbbing, heat, swelling or discolouration in your feet
a cut or injury becomes red or does not heal.

Where to get help

Your GP (doctor)
Podiatrist
Diabetes specialist
Diabetes educator
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) Tel. 1800 637 700
Diabetes Victoria Tel. 1300 437 386
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Diabetes Clinic Tel. (03) 8532 1800
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Tel. 1300 363 126