Many of us take our feet for granted, but when you have diabetes, proper foot care is of utmost importance. While diabetes is typically thought of as a blood sugar problem, it’s also associated with nerve and blood vessel damage. This can become a problem for your feet if you develop neuropathy, which occurs in about 70 percent of people with diabetes. Neuropathy leaves those affected without feeling in their hands or feet, making it difficult to know when you have a cut or blister. To ensure the best possible foot health, read up on these tips for diabetes foot care. 

Your feet will thank you.

Examine your feet every day

Nerve damage can make it hard to feel if your feet are injured in any way. Unnoticed sores and cracked skin can lead to infection if the issues aren’t treated promptly. If you can’t see the bottom of your feet clearly, place a mirror on the floor beneath you and take a peek.

Invest in proper footwear

Those with diabetes should wear shoes with good depth in the toe box and full coverage on the top and bottom. Shoes should also be absent of seams that could rub on your feet. Likewise, you should also be wearing socks without seams. Diabetic socks stretch further than a regular sock and have a non-binding top, promoting circulation and keeping you comfortable.

Don’t walk around barefoot

Walking around barefoot can be dangerous when you have neuropathy. Because you don’t have feeling in your feet, you’re at risk for stepping on sharp objects not only outside, but indoors, too. In addition to wearing diabetic socks, it’s a smart idea to have an extra pair of shoes with good coverage you can slip into when you get out of bed in the morning.

Be careful with hot water

When a person with diabetes has neuropathy, it can be hard to tell if the water in a hot tub, bath, or shower is too warm. Burns and blisters can turn into infections if they aren’t treated right away. To avoid scalding your feet, use your elbow to test the temperature of the water before you hop in.

Foot care is extremely important for people with diabetes – especially if you have begun to experience pain or loss of feeling in your feet. However, if you take care of your feet every day by doing a thorough examination, wearing diabetic socks and proper shoes, and by taking extra precautions around hot water, your feet will stay happy and healthy for years to come.