Diabetes foot care at home: the daily check and when to call

Diabetes can dull feeling in the feet and slow healing, so a small blister can turn serious before anyone notices. A daily foot check takes a minute and is one of the best ways families can help. This note walks through it.

Look every day

Check the tops, sides, soles, heels and between the toes every day. If the person can’t see well, someone else should check.¹

Wash and dry

Wash the feet daily in lukewarm water with mild soap, testing the water with a hand or elbow first.¹ Dry gently, especially between the toes.¹ Use lotion or petroleum jelly on dry skin, but not between the toes unless the provider says to.¹

Toenails, corns and calluses

Soften toenails by soaking, then cut them straight across. Don’t cut very thick or discolored nails at home; a foot doctor can trim them.¹ Don’t cut corns or calluses or use medicated pads; use a pumice stone only if the foot doctor allows it.¹

Shoes and socks

Always wear shoes, and check inside them before putting them on.¹ Avoid tight shoes and flip-flops, and wear clean, dry socks every day.¹ Break in new shoes slowly, one or two hours a day for the first week or two.¹

Avoid heat

Don’t use heating pads or hot water bottles on the feet, and don’t walk barefoot on hot surfaces.¹ Quitting smoking helps blood reach the feet.¹

When to call

Call the provider right away about redness, warmth, swelling, sores, cracks, tingling, burning or pain anywhere on the foot, and don’t treat it at home.¹ A home health nurse can care for foot wounds and teach the family the daily check.