If you have diabetes, your doctor has probably told you to check your feet every day. But most patients are never shown what to actually look for, or why it matters so much. At Valley Foot & Ankle Institute in Manteca, we believe a simple daily routine is one of the most powerful tools you have for protecting your feet, your mobility, and your independence.
Here is exactly how to do it, what to look for, and when to pick up the phone.
Why Daily Foot Checks Matter With Diabetes
Diabetes can cause two problems that work against your feet at the same time. High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet, a condition called peripheral neuropathy, which means you may not feel a blister, cut, or sore forming. It can also narrow the blood vessels that supply your feet, which slows healing.
Put those together and a small problem you cannot feel can quietly become a serious wound. Most diabetic foot ulcers, and most amputations, start with something minor: a callus, a blister from a new shoe, a tiny cut that never got noticed. A daily check catches these problems while they are still easy to treat.
The 5-Minute Routine, Step by Step
Pick a consistent time, many patients do this after their evening shower. You will need good lighting and, if you cannot easily see the bottoms of your feet, a hand mirror or a phone camera.
- Look at the tops, bottoms, and sides of both feet. You are looking for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, bruising, or any break in the skin.
- Check between every toe. Moisture and cracked skin between the toes are common entry points for infection, especially athlete’s foot.
- Look at your toenails. Watch for thickened or discolored nails, and for nail edges pressing into the skin, which can lead to an ingrown toenail. Never trim your own nails aggressively if you have neuropathy, and never cut into the corners.
- Feel for temperature differences. Run the back of your hand along each foot. A warm, red area can be an early sign of inflammation or infection. One foot noticeably warmer than the other deserves a call to your podiatrist.
- Press gently on any calluses or thick skin. Calluses in people with diabetes can hide wounds underneath them. If a callus is growing, cracking, or has any dark discoloration, do not shave or cut it yourself. Have it evaluated.
Daily Habits That Protect Your Feet
The check is step one. These habits do the rest:
- Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water, not hot, and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Test water temperature with your hand or elbow, not your feet, if you have any numbness.
- Moisturize the tops and bottoms of your feet, but never between the toes, where trapped moisture invites fungal infection.
- Never walk barefoot, even at home. A single unnoticed puncture can change everything.
- Check inside your shoes before putting them on. Small objects and rough seams cause wounds patients never feel.
- Wear socks without tight elastic bands, and change them daily.
When to Call a Podiatrist Right Away
Call the same day if you notice any of the following: an open sore or wound of any size, redness that spreads, drainage or odor, a foot that is suddenly warm and swollen, black or blue discoloration, or a cut that has not started healing within a few days.
With diabetes, waiting to see if something gets better on its own is the single most dangerous decision you can make with your feet. Problems caught early are usually simple to treat. Problems caught late are not.
The One Appointment That Ties It All Together
Daily self-checks work best alongside a comprehensive diabetic foot exam at least once a year, and more often if you have neuropathy, poor circulation, or a history of ulcers. At Valley Foot & Ankle Institute, a diabetic foot exam includes testing the sensation and circulation in your feet, evaluating your skin and nails, and assessing your footwear and pressure points. For patients whose foot structure creates high-pressure areas, custom orthotics can redistribute that pressure before it causes a wound.
Dr. Rateb Haddad, DPM provides diabetic foot care for patients throughout Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop, and Stockton, with Saturday appointments available. If you have diabetes and have never had a foot exam, or if your daily check turns up something concerning, schedule your evaluation today.