You check your blood sugar regularly and watch what you eat. You take your medications on schedule. But when was the last time you really looked at your feet? For people living with diabetes, proper foot care isn't just about comfort—it's about prevention.
Even small problems can escalate quickly, turning a minor blister into a serious infection or worse. Now is the perfect time to protect your feet and your future by contacting a qualified Montana podiatrist to help review your foot health habits.
At Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic, our experienced Missoula podiatrist, Dr. Gregg Neibauer, helps diabetic patients throughout Montana and Northern Idaho care for their feet. Here's what you should know about how diabetes affects the feet and how our team can help you maintain podiatric health and mobility
Why Diabetes Puts Your Feet at Risk
Diabetes affects your body in ways that make foot problems both more likely and more dangerous. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. When neuropathy affects the nerves in your feet, you can lose sensation. Without that warning system, minor injuries can worsen undetected.
Diabetes also affects circulation, reducing blood flow to your extremities. Poor circulation slows healing, meaning even small wounds take longer to repair and are more vulnerable to infection. This combination of reduced sensation and impaired healing creates a dangerous situation where foot problems can progress from minor to severe before you realize anything is wrong.
1. Inspect Your Feet Daily
Checking your feet each morning or night takes less than five minutes but can prevent serious complications. Check all areas of your feet for cuts, blisters, bruises, redness, swelling, or any changes in color or temperature.
Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet, and be sure to pay attention to areas where shoes press against your skin. These spots are prone to developing pressure sores. If you notice anything unusual, don't wait to see if it heals on its own. Contact our Missoula podiatrist right away.
2. Wash and Dry Your Feet The Right Way
Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid soaking your feet for extended periods, as this can cause your skin to dry out. Instead, wash gently but thoroughly, making sure to clean between your toes where bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, moist environments.
Drying is just as important as washing. Pat your feet completely dry, paying special attention to the spaces between your toes. Moisture trapped in these areas creates ideal conditions for fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.
3. Hydrate The Smart Way Without Creating Problems
Diabetes often causes dry, cracked skin that can split and become infected. Apply a high-quality moisturizing lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet daily, but avoid applying it between your toes. The skin between the toes needs to stay dry to prevent fungal growth.
4. Practice Safe Nail Trimming Technique
Trim your toenails straight across, never curved, and file rough edges with an emery board. Curved cuts can encourage nails to grow into the surrounding skin, creating painful ingrown toenails that are easily prone to infection.
If you have trouble seeing your nails clearly, experience reduced sensation in your feet, or struggle with mobility that makes reaching your feet difficult, schedule regular nail trimming appointments with Dr. Neibauer to prevent potential injuries.
5. Choose the Right Footwear
Diabetic shoes should fit comfortably without pinching or rubbing anywhere. Make sure there's about a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the shoe's end. Check inside your shoes before putting them on, feeling for pebbles, torn linings, or anything that could irritate your skin. Shoes with smooth, seamless interiors reduce friction that can cause blisters.
If you maintain an active lifestyle, invest in athletic shoes designed for your specific activity. Running shoes, walking shoes, and cross-trainers each provide different types of support and protection.
6. Don't Go Barefoot
It's important that diabetic patients never walk barefoot, even indoors. Always wear socks, shoes, or slippers to protect your feet from cuts, punctures, and temperature extremes. Even a small splinter or thumbtack can cause significant problems when diabetes affects healing.
Be sure to choose socks without tight elastic bands that restrict circulation. Look for diabetic socks with extra padding in high-pressure areas and moisture-wicking materials that keep feet dry.
7. Manage Your Blood Sugar
Everything else on this list becomes more effective when blood sugar stays within your target range. Consistently high blood sugar accelerates nerve damage, impairs circulation, and compromises your immune system's ability to fight infections.
Work closely with your healthcare team to develop a blood sugar management plan that fits your lifestyle. This typically includes monitoring your glucose levels, taking medications as prescribed, following a balanced eating plan, and staying physically active within your ability level.
8. Stay Active Safely
Regular physical activity enhances circulation, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes overall health. However, when you have diabetes, it's crucial to choose the right activities. Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, cycling, and yoga, provide excellent benefits without excessive stress on your feet.
9. Avoid Home Remedies and Seek Professional Foot Health Help
Don't leave your foot health to chance. Ditch unproven home remedies and contact a podiatrist if you experience:
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Calluses and corns. Never try to remove these yourself with over-the-counter treatments, sharp instruments, or medicated pads. What seems like a simple cosmetic issue can quickly become an infected wound.
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Fungal infections. Athlete's foot and fungal nail infections are common in people with diabetes and require prompt treatment. Over-the-counter antifungal creams may be effective for mild cases, but persistent or spreading infections typically require prescription medications.
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Changes in foot shape. Conditions like Charcot foot can cause bones to weaken and shift, altering the structure of your foot. If you notice your foot looking different or developing unusual bumps or deformities, schedule an appointment with your Montana podiatrist.
10. Practice Prevention Through Professional Care
Even when you're diligent about home foot care, regular professional examinations remain essential. Dr. Neibauer can identify developing problems before you notice symptoms, assess your circulation and nerve function, and provide specialized treatments.
Most people with diabetes should see their podiatrist at least twice a year, although your specific situation may require more frequent visits. These appointments aren't just problem-focused. They are opportunities to discuss any concerns, review your foot care routine, and ensure you're using the most effective prevention strategies.