You can prevent damage to your feet and keep them healthy. People cram their feet into shoes and stand on them for long periods of time. Those hard-working feet deserve a little more attention than you’re probably giving them.
Just as you wouldn’t go a day without brushing your teeth, you shouldn’t you go a day without taking care of your feet.
How do foot problems happen?
Some people with high blood sugar:
— lose feeling in their feet
— have poor blood supply to their legs and feet.
Legs and feet can be damaged. Some people can lose a toe or foot.
What can you do?
- Look at your feet daily.
- Daily care can prevent loss of a toe, foot or leg.
- Ask a family member to look at your feet if you have poor eyesight or cannot bend over.
- Use a hand mirror to help you look at your feet
- Be sure to look between your toes
Look daily at your feet and between your toes for:
— cracks, or breaks in the skin,
— blisters,
— cuts,
— scratches,
— red or black spots,
— ingrown toenails,
— dryness.
If you see any damage to your feet, go to the clinic. Show the doctor the changes.
Wash Daily
Wash your feet each day in warm water. Use mild soap and rinse well. Check the water temperature with your arm or elbow before washing. Water should feel lukewarm, not hot.
Dry your feet by patting dry. Be sure to dry between your toes. Put lotion on your feet to keep skin soft. Lotion prevents cracking and drying.
You can prevent foot damage
File or cut your toenails straight across. You can damage your feet if you cut your own calluses or corns. See the clinic doctor for these problems. Only use medicine from the clinic on your feet for corns, bunions, calluses, cuts or scratches. Store medicine may hurt your feet.
Wear Socks
Wear clean socks every day. Change your socks every day. Keep your feet warm with socks. Do not use heating pads or hot water bottles. Keep your feet dry. Cotton socks are best. Wear socks without seams, holes or mends. Do not use elastic garters. Knee socks should not leave marks on your skin All socks should fit loosely.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Always wear your shoes indoors or outdoors. You can cut, burn or bruise your feet by walking barefoot. Wear shoes that fit. Tie shoe laces loosely.
Do not wear pointed boots or shoes. Do not wear high heels. Do not wear sandals. Keep your shoes on during Pow-Wows and celebrations.
Wear shoes when walking on beaches or near pools. Check your shoes for small stones, nail points or torn linings.
Make sure your shoes fit the shape of your foot. Break in new shoes a little at a time. Check your feet for blisters after wearing for a few hours. Your shoes should not cause blisters. Wear socks to help cushion and protect your feet. If you get a foot blister or sore, go to the clinic. Show the doctor your foot. Bring your shoes and socks with you.
Cuts and scratches
- Wash each small cut or scratch with soap and water.
- Do not put adhesive tape or bandaids on your skin. Tape or bandaids can damage the skin on your feet.
- Use gauze bandaids for small cuts, scratches.
- Look at cuts and scratches daily.
- Come to the clinic if cuts, scratches do not get better in 3 days.
