When you have diabetes, it can be easy to miss a problem with your feet. If you have loss of feeling in your feet, you may not feel cuts or sores. If you can't see well, you may not see fungus or dry, cracked skin. Poor blood flow in your feet can make these problems slow to heal.

Ask your doctor to check your feet at each visit. Take your shoes and socks off to remind him. Between visits, here are some steps you can take at home to help keep your feet fit:

Check your feet each day. Look for dry, cracked skin or cuts. A mirror may help. Keep nails trimmed and filed smooth. Sharp nail edges can injure neaby toes. If you can't see well, ask a family member or friend to help you. If you have home care, the nurse can help you.

Wash your feet each day in warm water. Dry them well, including between the toes. Apply skin lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Keep your feet from getting very cold or very hot. Find shoes that are soft and smooth inside. If your feet are numb, you may need to ask a professional to fit shoes on you. Wear socks that have no tight bands.

Try not to cross your legs when sitting. Put your feet up when you can.

Call your doctor if a cut or sore does not start to heal after one day.

How To Take Care Of Your Feet

Nerve damage, circulation problems, and infections can cause serious foot problems for people with diabetes.

Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. Sometimes nerve damage can deform or misshape your feet, causing pressure points that can turn into blisters, sores, or ulcers.

Poor circulation can make these injuries slow to heal. There may be changes in the color and temperature of your feet. Some people lose hair on their toes, feet, and lower legs.

The skin on your feet may be dry and cracked. Toenails may turn thick and yellow. Fungus infections can grow between your toes.

There is a lot you can do to prevent problems with your feet. Controlling your blood glucose and not smoking or using tobacco can help protect your feet. You can also keep small problems from getting out of control by following these recommendations.

Inspecting Your Feet

You may have serious foot problems yet feel no pain. Look at your feet every day to see if you have scratches, cracks, cuts, or blisters, changes in color or temperature, or swelling. Always check between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet. If you can't bend over to see the bottoms of your feet, use an unbreakable mirror. If you can't see well, ask a family member to help you. Call your doctor at once if you have a sore on your foot.

Bathing

Wash your feet every day. Don't soak your feet-it can dry out your skin, and dry skin can lead to infections.

Drying

Dry your feet with care, especially between the toes. Use a small hand towel for this purpose.

Keeping Feet in Good Condition

If you have dry skin, rub a thin coat of oil, lotion, or cream on the tops and bottoms of your feet-but not between your toes. Moisture between the toes will let germs grow that could cause an infection.

When your feet sweat, apply a foot powder, such an cornstarch. If fungus infection develops (athlete's foot, jungle rot), talk with your doctor right away to start treatment.