Type 2 Diabetes and Foot Care

By Erica Franklin

3 min read

Yes, We have all heard about the dangers and risks that come with not taking care of our feet. Foot care is really important for a diabetic and cannot be neglected. We have to monitor our feet daily for sores, cracks, cuts or any other type of skin breakdowns. These can all cause other problems that could affect our lives. Like walking for one. If you are working and have a job that requires you to stand or walk, a lot this can all be unbearable and even hard to live with for some. Catching these as early as possible is a good way to prevent infections and future problems that could cause possible removal of the infected area or even amputation. Not fun at all.

Foot problems with type 2 diabetes

We hear clean between your toes and make sure they are dry. Keep your toenails trimmed. Moisturize to avoid dryness that could lead to cracks. Check your feet for sores or pressure spots. Being a diabetic, you have heard at least one of these rather it's from our physician or another medical professional. Yes, I know it may get aggravating sometimes but we have to do it. Keeping your toenails trimmed can reduce ingrown toenails that could lead to sores if the toenail breaks the skin, OUCH! Also, long toenails can make wearing your favorite shoes not so favorite or comfortable shoe not so comfortable. And you are going to go through a lot of socks. I don't know about you but I can't keep buying socks I could use that money for something else. Sometimes you may get a lot of dead skin (calluses) that build up around the heel and other areas of the feet. This can be very uncomfortable but also can cause cracks on the bottom of your feet. If you can't really feel it and can't see it because you have the skin build up this too can be very dangerous for a diabetic. Between the toes are much harder to see for many of us but this is extra important. Sometimes it's what we can't see that get the least attention and when we can't feel it we tend to neglect it altogether. In our case, we don't want to do that. Not taking care of our feet is NOT an option.

Tips for foot care

Just a few tips to help keep your feet as healthy for as long as possible...

Talk to your physician or medical professional if you need assistance with trimming your nails and removing dead skin (calluses) from your feet.
If your physician or medical professional is ok with you trimming your own toenails, be very careful not to cut too short to cause soreness and cuts at the nail bed.
Wear fitted shoes can reduce the extra friction that may cause calluses.
Moisturize your feet daily. This helps with keeping the skin soft and not too dry which could lead to cracks.
Be sure to clean between your toes but be gentle. The skin between your toes is softer. Sometimes just pulling your toes apart can easily cause a skin tear.
If you are ever in a situation where your feet get wet for an extended period of time be sure to get them dry as soon as possible. This will help reduce the possibility of skin tears and infections (maybe keep extra shoes and socks handy if possible).
When taking off your socks check them for dried or wet stains that could be a result of a sore or infection that you can't feel or see. Contact your physician or a medical professional if you notice blood or infection stains
When walking around always wear something to protect your feet from cuts on maybe glass or other sharp objects.
If you are not able to look at your feet yourself maybe a family member can look for you daily or even a caregiver. Someone else looking can actually get a better view.
Always get advice from your physician or a medical professional if you have a sore that does not heal.

Again this is only a few tips...

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There are many things that we can do to take care of our feet. What are some things you do to keep your feet healthy?

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Thomas A McAtee Jr. Moderator
Good article. Really like it. I have to see a podiatrist every three months for both nail and calluses. I know someone that wound up losing a foot due to deciding to do it on his own and used a cheese grader to do so. I couldn't believe that he had done it but was true when I asked him. No thanks, I'll let the pro handle it for me. I also check the shoes, socks etc. I wear both socks and house slippers when inside the house as well. Constantly check the bottoms of feet and between the toes as well. Again, very good article.
1. Erica Franklin Moderator
 Thomas I am glad that you like this article. I know that foot care is very important. When I was a child my grandmother had to have a portion of her foot removed because she had got something in it and it got infected. At the time I did not understand why her having something in her foot could cause this because I got stuff in my foot all the time. But at a young age I started wearing shoes everywhere even in the house. Even though I was not fully aware because that really scared me. But now that I am older and have Diabetes it all make more sense to me. ~ Erica, Community Moderator
2. Thomas A McAtee Jr. Moderator
 Erica,I never thought much about it until that I was told by my doctor and CDE to make sure I used both socks and house slippers in the house at all times and to make sure that I check the shoes for small items such as rocks etc. My doctor had done the nerve check on my feet and told me to see this podiatrist that he was referring me to. She had performed a tuning fork test also and told me that I had nerve damage in which he had also told me. she takes care of all the feet issues. I never mess with calluses and let her take care of them. She explained how the bone structure will cause issues with them and told me yes she could operated on them but that it would be one foot at a time, and that each time it would be out of action for about six weeks. Plus since the feet were already weak there and she'd have to restructure the bones it could make weaker. That more than likely they'd come back in same place and also more in others in different places as well in that area. said she didn't want to do that until it really becomes necessary. I'm very lucky in having a good team of specialists.
Erica Franklin Moderator
Wow Thomas you are in my thoughts. It's great that you have a health care team that works well with you and explain everything. Wish you the best on what you decide to do with the reconstruction surgery. Let me know what you decide to do. ~ Erica, Community Moderator