By following these guidelines, you can greatly reduce your risk for serious foot problems.

Hygiene:

• Wash feet daily
• Blot dry, always dry in between your toes
• Use lotion for dry skin
• Choose white cotton or wool socks
• If your feet sweat use powder to prevent Athlete’s Foot
• Do not try to cut your own toenails

Proper Shoes:

• Diabetic Shoes with inserts are essential in preventing issues if you have sensation loss
• Shoes should be fitted later in the day to account for swelling
• New shoes should only be worn for a short period of time with periodic foot checks
• Find out more about South Hills Foot and Ankle’s Custom Diabetic Shoe Program. 

Prevention:

• Check your feet or have a family member check your feet every day. Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet.
• Wear shoes and socks at all times, especially in the house.
• If you notice any new lesion, redness, or swelling call the office immediately, do not wait!
• Never cut a corn with a knife or razor
• Do not use chemical corn removers
• Do not soak your feet unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Burns are common in patients with diabetes due to sensation loss in the feet.
• Blisters should be check immediately, call the office if any are noticed.
• Don’t use heating pads on the feet or legs
• Don’t smoke this greatly decreases the amount of blood flow to your feet
• If you have any abnormal sensations or burning in your feet, notify the office immediately and make an appointment.

For more in-depth information about Diabetic Foot Care, visit www.sterishoe.com.