1. Manage your diabetes

Work with the health care team to deal with your increasing blood glucose. Submit your self for medical management such as insulin therapy and diet modification. It is the best way of keeping yourself safe from the complications of diabetes mellitus.

2. Check your feet every now and then

Always inspect your feet for presence of cuts, blisters, red spots, swelling and other forms of wounds. With your bare feet, check the bottoms using a mirror or ask for assistance on any of your family member to help you if you have trouble in seeing. Also, check for any changes in temperature.

3. Wash your feet daily

When washing your feet, use lukewarm of warm water and avoid using hot water. This is to soften the formed skin on your feet. Do not soak your feet as this may put you at risk for any burn injuries or others. Always check the temperature of the water using a thermometer to be sure that you have the accurate temperature of water. After washing, be sure to dry it well including the middle of your toe fingers.

4. Keep the skin soft and downy

Rub thin amount of non-scented lotion on the entire feet, but not in the middle of your toe fingers. I specified the non-scented lotion since most of the scented lotion contains alcohol which is a perfect drying agent. Drying your skin makes it more prone to skin breaks and lacerations.

5. Smooth corns and thick calluses tenderly

Who says a diabetic patient can no longer have a relaxing foot spa? Using a pumice stone to smooth corns and thick calluses is proven safe and effective in your foot health needs. Just take note that you have to use this gently.

6. Cut your toe nails straight-across

In cutting your toe nails, the ideal way is to cut it straight across since this type of cut prevent formation of ingrown, nail problems and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.

7. Avoid walking barefooted

It is a contraindication to diabetic patients to walk barefooted unless you want you leg being amputated. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and offer full protection to your feet. Do not wear chuck tailor, advan or any canvas shoes since this type of shoes put your feet at risk for punctures. Feel your shoes before putting your feet in it. Make sure that the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

8. Protect your feet from hot and cold

Wear shoes at the beach or on hot weather and wear socks at night if your feet gets cold.

9. Maintain good blood flow on our feet

Elevate your legs when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes for about 2 to 3 times a day. Avoid cross-leg sitting as it decreases blood flow on your feet. Avoid smoking since nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, thus decreasing the blood flow on the extremities.

10. Know your doctor

Have your doctor assess your bare feet and find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems. Remember that you may not feel the pain of an impending injury. Call your doctor right away if a sore, cut, blister, or bruises on your feet that does not recover after 24 hours. Follow your doctor’s advice about foot health. Do not self-medicate or use home remedies or over the counter drugs to treat any foot problems. Remember that your foot might be amputated if the situation gets worst.