The Montana Diabetes Resource Center

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

1. Do not smoke.
   
2. Inspect toes and between toes daily for blisters, cuts and scratches. The use of a mirror can aid in seeing the bottoms of the feet.
   
3. Wash feet daily, dry carefully, especially between the toes.
   
4. Avoid extremes of temperatures. Test water before bathing.
   
5. If feet feel cold at night, wear socks; do not apply hot water bottles or heating pads.
   
6. Do not use chemical agents for the removal of corns and calluses.
   
7. Inspect insides of shoes daily for foreign objects, nail points and torn linings.
   
8. Wear properly fitted stockings, do not wear mended stockings, avoid stockings with seams, change stockings daily.
   
9. Do not wear garters.
   
10.  Shoes should be comfortable at the time of purchase. Do not depend on them to "stretch out."
    
11. Do not wear shoes without stockings.
    
12. Do not wear sandals with thongs between the toes.
    
13. Do not walk barefooted, and never on hot surfaces such as sandy beaches or around swimming pools.
    
14. Cut nails straight across.
    
15. Do not cut corns and calluses; follow special instructions from your physician or podiatrist.
    
16. See your physician regularly and be sure that your feet are examined at each visit.
    
17. If your vision is impaired, have a family member inspect feet daily and trim nails and buff down calluses.
    
18. Be sure to inform your podiatrist that you have diabetes.

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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.