Simple Tips on Foot Care 

SAVE FOOT, SAVE LIFE

1. • Did you know?
     Nearly 85% of amputations can be prevented with a few simple foot care steps.

   • These measures are easy to do at home, require very little time, and cost almost nothing. Unfortunately, because they seem so simple, many people ignore them. But once a foot infection begins, treatment becomes expensive, recovery is difficult, and the risk to your foot—and even your life—increases.

   • Start with a daily habit:
     👉 Check your feet every day.
     Just one minute of inspection can help you spot small problems early, before they turn serious.

Daily Foot Check – Your First Line of Protection

Take a few minutes every day to examine your feet.

• Look for cuts, swelling, redness, or changes in skin color.
  
  

• Use your hands to feel for any lumps, swelling, or unusual hot or cold spots.
  
  

• Don’t forget to check between the toes—infections often start there.
  
  

If you notice anything unusual:

• Cover the area with a simple gauze and bandage.
  
  

• Seek medical help at the earliest—early treatment is always easier and safer.
  
  

Helpful tips:

• If your eyesight is weak, use a mirror or magnifying glass, or ask a family member to help.
  
  

• Watch out for cuts, bruises, or ulcers—at this stage, treatment is usually simple (antibiotics, footwear changes, or rest to reduce pressure).
  
  

• Check your shoes too—uneven wear inside may signal excess pressure on one spot, and you may need footwear modification.
  
  

👉 Remember: Never delay. If you notice any warning signs, consult a qualified healthcare professional without waiting.

2. Wash Your Feet Daily

Keeping your feet clean is an essential step in preventing infections.

• Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap.
  
  

• Always check the water temperature first with your elbow to avoid burns.
  
  

• After washing, pat them dry gently with a soft towel—never rub harshly.
  
  

• Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes and dry them carefully, as moisture here can lead to infection.

3. Care for Your Skin

Healthy skin protects your feet from infection.

• Apply a moisturizing cream or oil daily to keep the skin soft and supple.
  
  

• This helps prevent cracks, which can become entry points for infection.
  
  

• Well-moisturized skin also itches less, reducing the urge to scratch and lowering the risk of wounds.
  
  

💡 Tip: Coconut oil is a safe, natural, and easily available option

4. Toe nail care–

Toenails should usually be cut straight across. Don’t cut or dig down the sides or corners of your nails. Cutting corners or cutting nails too close to skin can sometimes damage the skin causing serious infection.

If the nails are very hard, thick or deformed, they need special instruments called shears to cut them. If you have reduced feeling or circulation in your feet, it is best to leave this to your doctor. 

5. Footwear (Pedorthotics)- (For detailed information, please read our page ‘Diabetic Footwear – Customised’

Customized footwear (especially the insole is the gold standard for diabetic footwear. It should be prepared under the supervision of an experienced professional.

The insole, which is the part on which our foot rests is the most important part of the footwear.

It can be prepared manually, using semi-automatic or completely automatic machines. The best method is by using manual and machine together. We use this method where manual and machine method is combined to give best results. The customized insole can be put into any shoe ( as mentioned below) of your choice.

Most Diabetics will have neuropathy sooner or later, removing the natural defense mechanism of pain. Also the feet in diabetics undergo changes in shape and the way the feet work. So, each foot needs footwear (insole of a specific shape.

Please read our page ‘Diabetic Footwear – Customised’ for more information on customized footwear.

If the facility of customised insole is not available to you, the alternative is using shoes as below –

The shoes in the least should have following features

1. Covering feet from all sides – This will protect the feet from any accidental injuries or insect bites,

2. Thick soft insole – This will distribute pressure evenly. So, the pressure points will carry less pressure, thereby decreasing the chances of a wound.

3. Broad in front – be a good fit, with enough room for all toes. This will allow your foot muscles to work properly and prevent rubbing.

Hence, many times, one practical option for the diabetic would be to wear long cotton socks with simple sports shoes that are one size bigger, have velcro for easy fastening, thick soft insole. Frequent change in shoes 6-12 monthly is recommended. This is the best investment one can do to avoid any foot problem in diabetes

6. Look for early signs of foot problem 

Any change from the previous appearance of foot should alert a person. One may check other leg for comparison. Skin may turn red after infection. Pus collection may show yellow areas. Any change in color, especially purple to black can herald circulation problem. When circulation is poor, a person may get lot of pain and/or one foot may feel colder to touch compared to the other one.

8. Avoid burning your feet-

Many diabetics don’t have any sensation. Some have touch sensation but have lost sensation of pain or hot things.

CAUTION: NEVER EVER SOAK YOUR FEET IN HOT WATER. It can prove dangerous in diabetics with neuropathy. Many people have lost their legs and lives as well just because of this one thing. Even before taking bath check the temperature of the bath water by pouring it on other elbow.

You need to be careful even if you visit a very cold freezing climate. The cold climate can cut down the circulation to the toes and this may get unnoticed when there is no sensation left.

If feet get burnt, don’t lose time. Ask for professional advice

9. Avoid any special creams/massage-

The only safe thing probably is moisturizer like coconut oil on intact skin and simple saline/gauze dressing on raw areas.

Avoid any chemicals, ointments, special dressings, herbal creams, alternative therapies unless advised by a proper foot specialist.

Most of these chemicals can do more harm than good to the sensitive and delicate skin of the diabetic foot.

10. Avoid smoking 

11. Diabetes and general health-

Needless to say, keep your diabetes under control. Also keep other risk factors like blood pressure, heart issues under control. In the early stage of diabetes, one should try to reverse diabetes.