Preventing foot ulcers

The best way to prevent complications of diabetes — including foot ulcers — is to manage your diabetes. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar regularly and taking your medicine correctly.

Taking care of your feet will help prevent problems. It can also ensure you get medical care quickly when you see problems. Proper foot care includes the following:

• Look at your feet daily. Check your feet once a day for blisters, cuts, cracks, sores, redness, tenderness or swelling. If you have trouble reaching your feet, use a hand mirror to see the bottoms of your feet. Put the mirror on the floor if you can't hold it, or ask someone to help you.

• Wash your feet every day. Wash your feet in lukewarm (not hot) water once a day. Dry them gently, especially between the toes. Use a pumice stone to gently rub the skin where calluses easily form.

  Put talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes to keep the skin dry. Use a moisturizing cream or lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet to keep the skin soft. Preventing cracks in dry skin helps keep bacteria from getting in.

• Don't remove calluses or other foot lesions yourself. To avoid hurting your skin, don't use a nail file, nail clipper or scissors on calluses, corns or warts. Don't use chemical wart removers. See your provider or foot specialist (podiatrist) to remove any of these issues.
• Cut your toenails carefully. Cut your nails straight across. Carefully file sharp ends with an emery board. Ask someone for help if you can't trim your nails yourself.
• Don't go barefoot. To keep from hurting your feet, don't go barefoot, even around your house.
• Wear clean, dry socks. Wear socks made of material that pulls sweat away from your skin. This includes cotton and special acrylic fibers — not nylon. Don't wear socks with tight elastic bands. These bands reduce circulation. Avoid socks with seams that could irritate your skin.

• Buy shoes that fit correctly. Buy comfortable shoes that provide support and cushioning for the heel, arch and ball of the foot. Avoid tightfitting shoes and high heels or narrow shoes that crowd your toes.

  If one foot is bigger than the other, buy shoes in the larger size. Your provider may recommend specially designed shoes (orthopedic shoes). These shoes fit the exact shape of your feet, cushion your feet and make sure your weight is the same on both feet.

• Don't smoke. Smoking makes it harder for your blood to go through your body. It also reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. These problems can make wounds worse and slow down healing. Talk to your provider if you need help quitting smoking.
• Schedule regular foot checkups. Your provider or podiatrist can look at your feet for signs of nerve damage, poor circulation or other foot problems. Have a foot exam at least once a year or more often if recommended by your provider.