You check your blood sugar. You take your medication. You watch your diet. But when was the last time you took a close look at your feet? For people living with diabetes, a simple daily foot care routine isn't just helpful. It's essential protection against complications that impact your health and mobility.
The good news is that a proper inspection takes less time than brewing your morning coffee. Dr. Tek Fish and the team at Clover Podiatry in Vancouver, Washington, are ready to show you exactly how to build a routine that keeps your feet healthy.
Why Does Diabetes Put Your Feet at Risk?
Diabetes affects your body in ways you can see and in ways you can't. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet—a condition called peripheral neuropathy. You lose sensation when those nerves are damaged, which means a small cut or blister can go unnoticed until it becomes infected.
Diabetes also reduces blood flow to your feet. With poor circulation, healing slows down, and even minor injuries can turn into wounds that won't close. When you combine reduced sensation with delayed healing, the risk of serious complications increases quickly.
The Daily Diabetic Foot Care Routine That Works
Building a protective routine doesn't require expensive products or complicated steps. Consistency is what matters most. Here's what to do every day:
- Morning inspection. Before you put on socks or shoes, examine both feet in good lighting. If bending is difficult, use a mirror to check the bottoms. Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or any changes in skin color or temperature.
- Evening wash. Wash your feet with lukewarm water and mild soap. Gently clean between your toes and around your nails, then rinse thoroughly.
- Careful drying. Pat your feet dry with a soft towel, paying plenty of attention to the spaces between your toes. Moisture trapped there creates an ideal environment for fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.
- Smart moisturizing. Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet, but avoid the areas between your toes. Too much moisture in those spaces encourages fungal growth, while dry, cracked heels can split and open the door to infection.
- Proper nail care. Trim your toenails straight across—never curved—and file down sharp edges. Cut your nails after bathing when they're softer and easier to manage.
What to Look for During Your Daily Foot Inspection
Most people take a quick glance at their feet and call it good—but that isn't enough. A thorough diabetic foot care routine means checking for specific warning signs:
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Color changes. Red, blue, or purple discoloration can signal circulation problems or infection. Pale or white skin may indicate reduced blood flow.
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Temperature differences. If one foot feels warmer than the other, it may indicate the development of an infection or inflammation. Cold feet can be a sign of poor circulation.
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Texture changes. New calluses, dry patches, or thickened skin can hide underlying issues. Soft or mushy spots may indicate early tissue breakdown.
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Sores. Any break in the skin, no matter how small, deserves attention. Diabetic wounds heal slowly, and infections spread quickly.
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Swelling or puffiness. Unexplained swelling, especially in one foot, needs immediate evaluation. It may point to infection, circulation problems, or other complications.
Don't ignore something just because it seems small. With diabetes, "probably nothing" can turn into something serious faster than you'd expect.
Protect Your Feet with the Right Socks and Shoes
What you put on your feet matters just as much as how you care for them. Wearing the wrong socks or shoes can create friction, pressure points, and excessive moisture. All of these things may cause injuries that you don't feel.
Choose socks made from moisture-wicking materials that pull sweat away from your skin. Cotton may feel soft, but it traps moisture against your feet. Change your socks right away if they become damp from sweat or weather. Avoid socks with tight elastic bands that restrict circulation or thick seams that create painful pressure points.
Check the inside of your shoes each time you put them on. A small pebble, a child's toy, or even a wrinkled insole can injure your foot without causing pain. Replace shoes once they become worn, develop holes, or lose support. A proper fit gives your toes room to move and provides arch support without rubbing or pinching.
When Daily Routine Isn't Enough
Daily foot care prevents most problems, but it can't replace professional oversight. A podiatrist can catch issues that home inspections might miss, which is why regular check-ups are crucial. At Clover Podiatry, our Vancouver podiatry team has the specialized tools and training to assess nerve function, blood flow, and foot structure.
Schedule appointments at least once a year, or more often if you've had foot problems before. Between visits, contact your podiatrist right away if you notice:
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Signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, swelling, or drainage
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Persistent pain or discomfort in your feet
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Changes in skin color or temperature
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New numbness or tingling sensations
Don't wait to see if foot problems are resolved on their own. With diabetes, delays can turn minor issues into major complications.
