Taking proper care of your feet is especially important for patients with diabetes since the nerve damage that accompanies the disease can make your feet lose any sense of feeling. This can result in the development of ulcers that can lead to amputation. If you have diabetes, you should make regular visits to your foot doctor for peace of mind.

5 foot care essentials for patients who have diabetes include the following:

• Perform a daily foot inspection—Be sure to inspect your feet every day for any cuts, scrapes, or blisters. Unnoticed and untreated injuries can become infected and quickly progress into foot ulcers. Use a mirror if necessary to inspect the bottoms of your feet. Pay attention to potential ingrown toenails since these can also become infected, possibly leading to amputation if not properly treated.
• Wear properly fitted shoes—Wear supportive shoes with a wide toe box and deep heel cup. Specially made shoes for diabetic patients increase ankle stability to help prevent falls.
• Clean and dry your fit every day—Wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water. Dry carefully, especially between the toes where infections from bacteria and fungi are more likely to develop. Apply a moisturizing lotion to dry areas of the foot to keep the skin flexible and to avoid cracking. Allow your footwear to dry out between wearings to keep microorganisms from proliferating.
• Foot elevation—When resting, raise your feet above your heart to improve circulation and promote wound healing.
• Exercise to improve circulation—Doing simple aerobic exercises every day will also improve circulation and help to lower your blood glucose levels.

If you need help with diabetic foot care, we highly recommend that you consult our board-certified podiatrists on a regular basis to help prevent major complications. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Kathleen Pyatak-Hugar, and Dr. Donal M. Erickson and their staff will help you diagnose and treat your foot or ankle condition. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.