Melinda Glynn, RN

Feet are rarely anyone's favorite part of the body and are usually ignored and mistreated until they start causing some discomforts. However, for a person with diabetes, neglected feet can lead to some of the most devastating effects of the disease: slow-healing wounds, infections and even limb loss.

With 26 bones; 33 joints; more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons working in synergy; and an intricate network of nerves and blood vessels, the human foot is a complex structure. Consequently, there is a lot of room for error, especially if you have diabetes. If high blood sugar damages nerves and arteries throughout the body, the feet can really take a beating. Diabetes can cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling in your feet. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow the rules of diabetic foot care to avoid potential problems in the future.

Follow these guidelines to avoid serious foot problems:

o Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or nail problems.
If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.

o Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.

o Cut nails carefully. Cut them straight across and file the edges. Don't cut nails too
short as this could lead to ingrown toe nails.

o Never treat corns or calluses yourself. Visit your doctor for appropriate treatment.

o Never go barefoot! Not even at home. You could step on something and get a
scratch or cut.

o Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing.

o Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement.

o Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your
toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes - 2 or 3 times/day. Don't
cross your legs for long periods of time.

o Take care of your diabetes. Keep your blood sugars in your target range.

o Don't smoke. Smoking restricts blood flow in your feet.

o Be more active. Exercise every day because it will improve your circulation.