Summer Do’s and Don’ts for Taking Care of Diabetic Feet

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At NY Foot Health, we want to educate patients about how to be proactive in the care of their feet. For people with diabetes, that means taking special precautions. Neuropathy—or nerve damage—is a condition commonly associated with diabetes. Nerve damage in your feet can make it difficult to perceive pain and other sensations that can indicate an injury or infection developing. Combine this with poor circulation—another frequent feature of diabetes—and you’ve got a recipe for a serious medical problem. Foot issues may be difficult to detect in a timely manner, and healing will take much longer due to the inability of oxygen-rich blood to reach the site of the wound. This greatly increases the risk for infection, ulcers, and even amputation. Below are some do’s and don’ts to remember this summer to ensure your feet stay safe and protected if you have diabetes.

  • DO: wash your feet daily with soap and water. This is good advice year-round, but feet are even more likely to pick up dirt and germs with summer’s open shoes styles.

  • DON’T: walk barefoot. It’s tempting in the summer months, but going without shoes, even in your own yard or home, significantly ups your risk for stepping on a sharp object that can puncture the skin and open the way for bacteria to enter. Keeping your feet covered, particularly in public places like the town pool or beach restrooms will also prevent coming in contact with fungi and bacteria that can cause athlete’s foot, fungal toenails, and other foot infections.

  • DO: change your socks when you notice they feel damp. Another cause of fungal infections is not keeping feet dry.

  • DO: watch what you eat at barbecues and summer parties to ensure your choices are helping keep your blood sugar under control.

  • DON’T: delay seeking a foot doctor’s evaluation of a wound that’s not healing or any suspicious symptoms in your feet such as redness, swelling, bruising, cuts, or growths. Don’t let fear of the coronavirus stop you from making an appointment. Podiatrists, like other doctors, have added extra precautions to keep patients and staff safe. If you don’t have a podiatrist, use our online directory to find one in your area.

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Diabetic Foot CareNYSPMAdiabetes, neuropathy, athlete's foot, fungal toenails