Diabetic Foot Care: A Simple Daily Checklist That Prevents Serious Problems

If you have diabetes, your feet deserve more attention than you're probably giving them. That's not a criticism — it's a reality of how diabetes affects the body in ways that aren't always obvious until something goes wrong. Elevated blood sugar over time damages nerves (neuropathy) and reduces circulation, which means your feet may not feel injuries the way they should, and those injuries may not heal the way they used to.

The good news is that the vast majority of serious diabetic foot complications — infections, ulcers, and the outcomes we don't want to think about — are preventable with consistent daily habits that take less than five minutes.

The Daily Foot Check (2 Minutes)

This is the single most important habit for anyone with diabetes. Every day, ideally after your shower or before bed, look at every surface of both feet:

• Between each toe. Moisture and cracks here are breeding grounds for fungal and bacterial infections.
• The sole of each foot. Use a mirror or your phone's camera if you can't see the bottom easily. You're looking for any redness, swelling, blisters, cuts, or areas of discoloration.
• Around the nails. Check for ingrown edges, thickening, discoloration, or any drainage.
• The tops and sides. New calluses, bumps, or skin changes that weren't there before.

The point of this check is to catch problems when they're tiny. A small blister that you treat today is a non-event. That same blister unnoticed for a week in a patient with neuropathy can become an infected wound.

After the Shower (1 Minute)

Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Damp skin between toes is one of the most common starting points for fungal infections and skin breakdown. Then apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to the tops and bottoms of your feet — but not between the toes, where moisture should be minimized.

This keeps the skin supple and prevents the dry cracks and fissures that serve as entry points for bacteria.

Before You Put on Shoes (30 Seconds)

Run your hand inside each shoe before putting it on. You're feeling for pebbles, bunched-up insole material, rough spots, or anything that could create a pressure point. With reduced sensation in your feet, you might not feel something rubbing until it has already caused a blister or wound.

Also check your socks: avoid socks with thick seams that sit over bony areas, and never wear damp socks. Moisture-wicking, seamless diabetic socks are worth the investment.

Shoes That Protect

Proper footwear is non-negotiable for diabetic foot health. The ideal diabetic shoe has a wide, deep toe box that doesn't compress any part of the foot, a firm sole with good shock absorption, no interior seams or ridges, a secure closure (laces or Velcro) rather than a slip-on, and accommodates a custom orthotic if prescribed.

Never walk barefoot — not at home, not at the beach, not in the yard. Stepping on something sharp or hot when you can't fully feel your feet is one of the most common ways diabetic foot wounds begin.

Nail Care: What to Do and What to Avoid

Trim toenails straight across with clean clippers, and smooth edges gently with a file. Don't round the corners — this increases the risk of ingrown nails. If your nails are thick, discolored, or difficult to trim, let us handle it. We trim diabetic patients' nails routinely, and it's one of the easiest ways to prevent an ingrown nail from becoming an infected wound. More about ingrown toenail treatment.

Never use sharp instruments to dig at nails or calluses. Bathroom surgery on diabetic feet is one of the most dangerous things a patient can do.

When to Call Us Immediately

Don't wait for your next scheduled visit if you notice any of the following:

• A cut, blister, or sore that isn't healing after 2–3 days
• Redness or warmth spreading from a wound
• Any drainage or unusual odor from a wound
• A new area of numbness or tingling
• A color change in part of your foot — darkening, whitening, or bluish discoloration
• Sudden swelling in one foot without obvious cause
• Pain in your calf or leg, especially if one-sided

These are not "wait and see" situations. The speed of intervention often determines the outcome.

Your Feet Carry You Through Life

Daily foot care for diabetes isn't complicated, but it does require consistency. Think of it like brushing your teeth — a small daily habit that prevents major problems down the road. And if something does come up, early action is everything.

We see diabetic patients regularly for nail care, wound checks, and annual exams. If you haven't had a foot evaluation recently, this is a good time to schedule one. Request an appointment or call (760) 728-4800.