An Article By Cecilia Brennan, Podiatrist – New Step Podiatry.
Healthy Feet, Healthy You: Everyday Foot Care for People with Diabetes
Looking after your feet is one of the most important parts of managing diabetes, yet it’s something many people overlook until a problem arises. Diabetes can affect circulation and nerve function, making your feet more vulnerable to injuries, infections, and slower healing. The good news? With the right daily care, most complications can be prevented.
This guide outlines 10 practical steps to keep your feet healthy, comfortable and protected every day. From simple hygiene habits to choosing the right footwear and staying active, these tips are designed to help you take confident steps toward better foot health.
1. Inspect Your Feet Every Day
Daily foot inspections are one of the simplest yet most powerful habits for preventing diabetic foot complications. Diabetes can reduce sensation in the feet (known as neuropathy), making it easy to miss small cuts, blisters or pressure spots that could lead to infection.
Take a few minutes each day to examine the tops, soles, heels, and between your toes. Yes, every surface of your feet. You are inspecting for cut, grazes, redness, swelling and blisters.
If you notice a break in the skin, give it a good wash with soap and water and assess if it needs antiseptic use or dressings. Unsure? Go to see Walk In Centre nurse, podiatrist or GP. If a skin lesion hasn’t healed in 2 weeks, you should consult your GP, clinic nurse or podiatrist. If you have found a foreign body like a splinter, it’s best to leave it’s removal to the experts, such as Walk In Centre nurse or your GP or podiatrist.
If reaching or seeing the bottoms of your feet is difficult, try using a handheld mirror or ask a family member or carer for assistance. This small daily check can make all the difference in catching problems early and keeping your feet healthy long-term.
2. Wash, Rinse and Dry Your Feet Properly
Take care to gently wash between your toes, where moisture and bacteria can easily build up. Wash your feet every day using warm (not hot) water and a mild soap.
After washing, dry your feet thoroughly with a soft towel, paying special attention to the spaces between your toes. Leaving moisture behind can create an environment where fungal infections thrive. Us podiatrists see these fungal infections alot!
If you feel unsteady or unsafe while showering, consider using a shower chair or stool to reduce the risk of slipping.
3. Moisturise Dry Skin
Dry skin is common in people with diabetes and can lead to cracks, which allow bacteria to enter and cause infection. To help prevent this, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser to the tops and soles of your feet each day. This keeps the skin supple and reduces the chance of splits or rough spots.
Avoid putting moisturiser between the toes, as excess moisture in these spaces can encourage fungal infections. If your skin remains dry or cracked despite regular care, or if you notice thickened areas such as calluses, your podiatrist can recommend suitable products or professional treatments.
If you have callused (hardened) skin, consider the use of a urea based cream.
4. Smooth It Out
Calluses and rough skin can develop on the heels, toes and balls of the feet where pressure is greatest. While they might seem harmless, they can lead to cracks or discomfort if not cared for properly.
You can manage light roughness at home by gently filing the area with a fine emery board or pumice file. Be gentle, never cut or shave calluses yourself and avoid chemical corn removers or blades, which can easily damage healthy skin.
For deeper calluses or cracked heels or corns, visit your podiatrist. They can safely remove thickened skin, check for signs of excessive pressure or infection and recommend ways to prevent the problem from returning.
5. Choose Supportive, Well-Fitting Footwear
Wearing the right footwear is one of the best ways to protect your feet from injury and pressure. Shoes should fit comfortably, snug enough to support your foot, but never tight or restrictive. Avoid high heels, pointed toes or styles that create friction, as these can cause blisters or calluses that may become difficult to heal.
Always wear socks with your shoes to reduce rubbing and absorb moisture. Seamless or moisture-wicking socks are ideal, as they help prevent irritation and keep your feet dry throughout the day.
When choosing new shoes, try them on at the end of the day (when your feet are slightly swollen) to ensure a proper fit. If you have areas of pressure, deformities or difficulty finding comfortable shoes, your podiatrist can recommend medical grade footwear or custom footwear designed to reduce friction and pressure point as well as improve support.
6. Check Your Footwear and Socks Regularly
You’re already checking your feet so don’t forget to check your shoes, too. Before slipping them on each day, take a quick look inside for foreign objects such as grass seeds, small stones, or loose threads. Even something tiny can cause friction, blisters, or skin breakdown, especially if you have reduced sensation in your feet.
Make sure your socks are clean, dry, and free from holes or rough seams. Replace worn-out shoes and socks early, as thin soles or stretched fabric can create uneven pressure points and irritation.
Choose breathable, good-quality materials that help keep your feet comfortable and dry throughout the day. This simple habit of checking footwear and socks is often overlooked, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent avoidable foot injuries.
7. Keep Your Blood Flow Moving
Good circulation is essential for healthy feet. Diabetes can sometimes reduce blood flow, making it important to keep your legs and feet active throughout the day.
When you’re sitting for long periods, even small, regular movements can make a difference. Take breaks to flex your ankles, move your toes, or lift your heels off the ground.
Calf raises are a simple yet powerful exercise to stimulate circulation in the lower legs and strengthen the calf muscles. By repeatedly lifting your heels and engaging the calf muscles, you help pump blood back toward the heart, supporting healthy foot and leg circulation
Aim for a little daily physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, as this supports overall cardiovascular health as well as foot health. Always wear well-fitting, supportive shoes when exercising, and speak to your podiatrist before starting a new activity if you have concerns about your feet or circulation.
8. Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check
Healthy feet start with healthy blood sugar levels. Consistently balanced blood glucose helps protect the blood vessels and nerves that supply your feet, reducing the risk of complications such as poor circulation, numbness, and delayed healing.
Unstable blood sugar can lead to nerve damage (neuropathy) and reduced sensation, making it harder to notice injuries or temperature changes. It can also affect your immune system’s ability to fight infection.
Managing your blood sugar through regular monitoring, a balanced diet, staying active and following your healthcare provider’s advice doesn’t just support overall wellbeing, it directly impacts your foot health, too.
9. Listen to Your Feet
Your feet often give early warning signs that something isn’t right. Pay attention to changes such as pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, swelling, or any sore that doesn’t seem to heal. These can indicate circulation problems, nerve changes, or infection.
Never ignore a new symptom, even if it seems small. Because advanced diabetes can dull sensation, injuries sometimes go unnoticed until they become more serious. If something feels “off,” book a podiatry appointment promptly as early intervention makes all the difference in preventing complications.
10. Make Podiatry Visits a Habit
Regular podiatry check-ups are one of the most effective ways to prevent serious foot problems. A podiatrist can assess your circulation, nerve health, skin condition, and footwear fit which can often spot issues long before you notice them.
Most people with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot assessment at least once a year, or more frequently if they have existing foot concerns, nerve damage or poor circulation. These visits allow your podiatrist to identify risks early, provide tailored advice, and perform any necessary treatments safely.
Our podiatrists are here to ensure those in Canberra have access to quality services that can help individuals get the treatment they deserve.
