Diabetic Foot Care

Why is it important diabetics pay attention to their feet?

Diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States with profound implications on health care. Diabetic foot ulcers are the #1 cause of hospitalization for diabetics.

As the mean age of adults in the USA increases, problems with diabetes will consume an even greater amount of the health care dollar. In the USA, there are roughly 90-100,000 major amputations per year and almost 90% of these are caused by diabetic foot ulcers.

Why are diabetics prone to developing ulcers (also called ulceration)?

With diabetes, your feet are particularly prone to wounds because:

• Nerve damage leads to neuropathy and the loss of feeling; wounds on your feet can easily go unnoticed. If not treated immediately, a small wound can progress to a bigger wound.
• Decreased circulation makes your skin and tissue weaker. This means wounds can form more easily and be slow to heal.
• Joint and bone abnormalities can deform the foot and make certain areas more likely to form wounds. Pressure on your feet from ill-fitting shoes can contribute to these deformities.
• High sugar levels make you very vulnerable to simple wounds becoming infected.

Steps to take care of your feet

Skin and Nail Care

• Wash your feet daily with mild soap. Dry your feet gently; do not rub too vigorously.
• Apply lotion to avoid dry or cracked skin.
• Trim toenails when wet because that’s when they are softer. Trim nails straight across. Do not trim your skin or cuticles. If you have trouble, you may want to see a podiatrist.

Daily Foot Inspection

• Check your feet every day at the same time—make it part of your daily routine. Look carefully for wounds on the top and bottom of each foot, all of your toes (top, bottom and tip) and between your toes. If you can’t see all parts of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to inspect them for you.
• Skin between toes can easily crack and wounds can be overlooked. Make sure to pull apart your toes and look carefully.
• Be sure to check the ball of each foot; it is subject to a lot of pressure and is a common area for calluses and wounds to develop.
• If you notice any cuts, scrapes, areas of discoloration, or calluses on your feet, notify your health care provider immediately.
• Trust your instincts. If either foot, or part of either foot, feels different in any way, let your health provider know.

Proper Footwear

• Your shoes should be comfortable and not cause any increased pressure on any bony areas.
• If you have noticed any deformities in your feet, you may want to see a podiatrist for help in choosing proper footwear.

Additional Steps to Avoid Foot Injury

• Avoid extreme heat of any kind: do not soak feet in hot water, do not use hot water bottles or heating pads/blankets.
• Never walk barefoot anywhere.

We can help you take care of your feet.

MetroHealth has created a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals to assist you in taking care of your feet and preventing ulcers.

These disciplines include:

• Vascular Surgery
• Podiatry
• Endocrinology
• Dietician
• Orthotics
• Orthopedics
• Infectious disease
• Your regular doctor