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  The Montana Diabetes Resource Center

A Service of the Montana Diabetes Project
Department of Public Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 202951
Cogswell Building - C-314
Helena, MT 59620-2951
(406) 444-6677
E-mail: Elizabeth Johnson, RNCNP, Program Manager

(Home Page address:  http://healthinfo.montana.edu/diabetes/default.htm)

Nine Steps to Better Foot Care

  1. Keep your feet absolutely clean and dry.
  2. Check both feet daily (including between your toes) or have someone help you. You can use a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet. If your vision is impaired, have a family member do the examination. Be on the lookout for swollen or red areas, breaks, cuts or scratches, patches of dry skin, very cold areas (which indicate circulation problems), or very warm areas (which could indicate an infection).
  3. Wash your feet in warm (not hot!) soapy water every day. Then dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.
  4. Check your shoes twice a day and shake them out to make sure there are no small objects in them that could cause injury.
  5. Wear shoes and socks that fit well. Never go barefoot; use aqua socks for ocean and pool.
  6. Be careful when you trim your toenails. Cut your nails straight across. If they are very thick and curved, or if your sight is not adequate, you may need professional help to cut them properly.
  7. Be very careful to avoid burns from hot water, pavement, sand, hot-water bottles, and heating pads. Remember, you may not feel a burn.
  8. Never perform "bathroom surgery" on corns or calluses -- let your podiatrist see and treat any problems.
  9. Call your diabetes doctor or podiatrist immediately if you discover an ulcer or open sore, an infection in a cut or blister, a red, tender toe (possibly an ingrown toenail), change in feeling, such as pain, tingling, numbness or burning, any change in the way your foot looks, and any puncture wound. Have your feet checked every time you visit the doctor.

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This site has been developed in cooperation with the Montana Area Health Education Center, MSU-Bozeman and is the property of the Montana Diabetes Project, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  All rights reserved.

Please send comment/suggestions/corrections referencing this page to Susan Day at sday@mt.gov.  Thank you.