Diabetic Foot Care: Why It Matters and How to Protect Your Feet

For people living with diabetes, caring for your feet is more than just routine hygiene—it’s a critical part of protecting your overall health. Diabetes can affect blood flow and nerve function, increasing the risk of foot complications such as infections, ulcers, and wounds that may heal slowly. With the right preventive care and regular checkups, you can keep your feet healthy and avoid serious problems.

Why Diabetic Foot Care Is Important

Diabetes often leads to two major complications that affect the feet:

– Poor circulation – Reduced blood flow makes it harder for cuts, blisters, or sores to heal.
– Nerve damage (neuropathy) – Loss of sensation means you may not feel pain or injury, allowing small problems to go unnoticed until they become severe.

Without proper care, these issues can progress to infections, ulcers, or in extreme cases, amputations.

Foot pain, corns and calluses, dry skin on legs, man suffering from feet ache at home, podiatry concept

Signs You Should Watch For

If you have diabetes, keep an eye out for the following changes in your feet:

– Cuts, sores, or blisters that don’t heal
– Redness, swelling, or warmth in one area
– Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
– Skin color changes or thickened toenails
– Drainage or unusual odor in socks or shoes

If you notice any of these signs, schedule a podiatry appointment right away.

Tips for Daily Diabetic Foot Care

Taking a few simple steps each day can greatly reduce your risk of complications:

1. Check your feet daily – Use a mirror if needed to look for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling.
2. Wash and dry carefully – Gently wash with warm (not hot) water and dry thoroughly, especially between toes.
3. Moisturize your skin – Prevent dryness and cracking, but avoid applying lotion between toes.
4. Wear proper footwear – Choose well-fitted shoes and clean socks to prevent friction and injury.
5. Trim toenails safely – Cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails. If you have trouble, let your podiatrist handle it.
6. Never go barefoot – Protect your feet indoors and outdoors.

Professional Care Makes the Difference

In addition to home care, regular visits with a podiatrist are essential. At Curalta Foot + Ankle, our providers specialize in diabetic foot care, including:

– Comprehensive foot exams
– Wound care and ulcer treatment
– Custom orthotics and footwear recommendations
– Education on preventing complications

Protect Your Feet, Protect Your Health

Diabetes doesn’t have to lead to foot problems. With proactive care, you can stay on top of your health and continue doing the things you love.

Schedule your diabetic foot checkup today.

Call 1-888-777-1430] or book online HERE