Diabetes: Checking Your Feet

Skin color:

• Red
• Blue or black

• Redness could point to irritation from shoes or overheating or other early signs of a problem. Do what you can to discover the cause and fix it, such as wearing shoes that fit better.
• Blue or black areas can mean bruising or blood flow problems. Call your doctor to report them.

Patches where hair is missing

Bald patches may mean irritation from shoes or a blood flow problem. Show the areas to your doctor during your next visit.

Blister

• Try to discover the cause of the blister. Friction or rubbing against your skin causes blisters. You may need new shoes.
• Do not break the blister or open it yourself. Leave the skin over the blister intact.
• Cover the blister with a sterile, nonstick dressing and paper tape.
• Call your doctor if any blister becomes red, oozes, or is not healing after 4 days.

Break in your skin

• Gently wash the area with mild soap; blot it dry and cover it with a sterile, nonstick dressing.
• Call your doctor if any break in the skin becomes red, oozes, or is not healing after 4 days.

Note: Examine the underside of your toes and the area between the toes for breaks in the skin.

Calluses (hardened areas of skin) and corns (pressure injuries, usually found on or between toes)

Show the area to your doctor at your next visit. This is very important.

• Do not use products sold in drugstores to remove corns, calluses, or other problems.
• Do not use a pumice stone on calluses unless your doctor or foot doctor (podiatrist) shows you how to use it properly.
• Do not cut, file, or do anything that may break the skin on your feet.

Peeling skin or tiny blisters between your toes or cracking and oozing of the skin

This may be athlete's foot. Treating athlete's foot early can prevent serious foot infections. See the topic Athlete's Foot for more information.

• To prevent athlete's foot, wear shower shoes or bathing shoes when you use public showers or pools. Otherwise, keep feet dry.
• Keep feet clean. Wear clean socks every day.
• Do not treat athlete's foot without first seeing your doctor or podiatrist.

Moisture between your toes

Dry between your toes well. Moisture between your toes provides a good place for bacteria and fungi to grow, causing infection.

Feelings of numbness, burning, or "pins and needles"

If you have new numbness or tingling in your feet that does not go away after changing position, call your doctor.

Sore (ulcer)

Do not try to treat a foot ulcer at home. Call your doctor immediately. If you check your feet regularly, you usually will see a problem before it becomes an ulcer.

Ingrown toenail

Do not treat an ingrown toenail at home. Call your doctor for an appointment.