Be Sweet To Your Feet If You Have Diabetes by the National Diabetes Education Program (NAPSA)—Taking care of your feet is very important for people with diabetes. Good foot care helps reduce your risk for serious foot problems that can lead to amputations. To decrease your risk of foot problems, learn to manage the ABCs of diabetes. This means keeping your blood glucose (as measured by the A1C test), blood pressure, and cholesterol in the target range recommended by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider about your diabetes ABCs and how to do a foot exam at home. Be sweet to yourfeet by following these foot care tips: Check your feet every day (evening is best) for cuts, blisters, red spots, swelling, and sore toenails. If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a plastic mirror or ask a family member or caregiverto help. Wash your feet every day in warm water, and be sure to dry well between thetoes. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between yourtoes. * Trim your toenails carefully and straight across when needed. See your podiatrist if you need help. Never walk barefoot, and wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Nerve damage can causeloss offeeling. Look and feel inside your shoes before putting them on. Ask your team about getting special shoes. Control your Diabetes. * Keep the blood flowing to your feet by wiggling your toes and moving your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, two or three times a day. Plan a physical activity program with yourhealth care team. Take your shoes andsocksoff at every check up and have your doctor look at your feet. Tell your health care team right away about any foot problems. Let your doctor know right away if you have loss of feeling in your feet, changes in the shape of your foot, or foot ulcers or sores that do not heal. For a free copy of Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime, contact the National Diabetes Education Program at www. YourDiabetes Info.org or call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337); TTY: 1-866-569-1162. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.
