Daily Foot Care for Diabetes
Daily Foot Care for Diabetes
With diabetes, small foot problems can turn serious fast. The good news: a few simple daily habits prevent most of them. Here's how to protect your feet, in plain language, from our team.
Diabetes can reduce feeling and circulation in the feet, which means a small cut, blister, or rubbed spot can go unnoticed and heal slowly. That's why daily care matters so much: it catches little problems before they become big ones. This guide covers the daily routine, the right socks and shoes, and the warning signs that need a provider, plus the products that make good foot care easy.
In a hurry? The short version
- Check your feet every day. Reduced feeling means you may not notice an injury, so look, don't just rely on how they feel.
- Keep them clean, dry, and moisturized (but not between the toes), and never go barefoot.
- Protect them with seamless, non-binding socks and well-fitting shoes, and keep your blood sugar in range.
Why diabetes affects the feet
A few effects of diabetes combine to make feet vulnerable, which is exactly why prevention works so well:
⚠️See a provider right away if you notice...
- A cut, sore, or blister that isn't healing, or any open wound on the foot.
- Redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage, which can signal infection.
- A change in skin color or temperature, or new numbness, tingling, or pain.
- An ingrown or infected toenail, or a corn or callus, don't try to cut or treat these yourself.
Your daily foot-care routine
Look at your feet
Check the tops, soles, and between the toes for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Use a mirror for the bottoms, or ask someone to help. Do this at the same time every day so it becomes a habit.
Wash and dry well
Wash daily in warm, never hot, water. Reduced feeling makes it easy to burn without noticing, so test the water with your elbow. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes, where moisture leads to infection.
Moisturize
Apply a moisturizing cream to the tops and bottoms to prevent dry, cracking skin, but not between the toes, where extra moisture invites fungus.
Trim nails carefully
Trim straight across and smooth the edges, without cutting into the corners. If you can't see or reach your feet well, or your nails are thick, have a professional do it.
Never go barefoot
Wear socks and supportive shoes, even indoors, so you don't step on something you can't feel. Slippers with a firm sole are better than bare feet at home.
Check inside your shoes
Before putting shoes on, run a hand inside for pebbles, rough seams, or worn spots that could rub a sore, since you may not feel it developing.
The right socks
- Seamless and non-binding. Seams and tight elastic rub and restrict circulation. Look for socks designed for sensitive or diabetic feet, like JOBST SensiFoot.
- Moisture-wicking. Keeping feet dry lowers infection and irritation risk.
- Compression, only with your provider's okay. Because diabetes affects circulation and sensation, ask before wearing compression. Our compression socks guide explains the levels.
The right shoes
- Roomy toe box. Enough space so toes aren't cramped or rubbing.
- Smooth interior, no rough seams. To avoid pressure spots you might not feel.
- Good fit, measured properly. Shop later in the day when feet are largest, and check both feet.
- Break them in slowly. Wear new shoes an hour at a time at first, checking for red spots.
Tools that make it easier
- Foot & skin creams. Diabetic-friendly moisturizers to prevent cracking.
- A foot mirror. Makes checking the soles simple when bending is hard.
- Gentle nail-care tools. For safe, careful trimming.
- Blood sugar control. Keeping glucose in range is one of the best things you can do for your feet. See our glucose monitor guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my feet?
Every day. Reduced sensation means you might not feel a cut or blister, so a daily look, using a mirror or a helper for the soles, catches problems early.
Can I trim my own toenails?
If you can see and reach them well and your provider is okay with it, trim straight across without cutting the corners. With reduced sensation, poor vision, or thick nails, have a professional do it.
What socks are best for diabetic feet?
Seamless, non-binding, moisture-wicking socks reduce rubbing and keep feet dry. Diabetic-specific socks like JOBST SensiFoot are designed for this.
Can people with diabetes wear compression socks?
Sometimes, but because diabetes affects circulation and sensation, check with your provider first. See our compression socks guide for the levels.
What water temperature should I use?
Warm, never hot. Reduced sensation makes it easy to burn without realizing, so test the water with your elbow first.
When should I see a podiatrist?
For nail or callus care you can't do safely, and right away for any sore, blister, infection, or change that isn't healing.
Related
- How to choose a glucose monitor. Keeping blood sugar in range protects your feet.
- Compression socks. Understand the levels before wearing them, with your provider's okay.
- All diabetes care. Monitors, foot and skin care, and daily supplies.
Protecting your feet? We can help.
Our team can help you find the right diabetic socks, creams, and well-fitting footwear, and the monitors to keep your blood sugar in range, in English or Spanish. Visit us at our Hallandale Beach and Miami locations, or we'll ship to your door.
Shop diabetic foot care · All diabetes care
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Diabetic foot complications can be serious. Always follow your healthcare provider's or podiatrist's guidance, and seek prompt care for any sore, wound, infection, or change that is not healing.
