Happier at Home: Foot care for diabetics

Proper foot care is important for those living with diabetes.

Daily foot care is one of the best ways to prevent complications, as many diabetics deal with nerve damage or poor circulation that can lead to bigger problems.

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Deb Bernacki, CEO of Happier at Home, joined us with her advice for healthy feet.

• -Check your feet every day for cuts, redness, sores, blisters, calluses, or any change to the skin or nails. Use a mirror if you can’t see the bottom of your feet or ask a family member to help.
• -Wash your feet every day in warm water. Don’t soak your feet. Dry your feet completely and apply lotion to the top and bottom—but not between your toes, which could lead to infection.
• -Never go barefoot. Always wear shoes and socks or slippers, even inside, to avoid injury. Check that there aren’t any pebbles or other objects inside your shoes and that the lining is smooth.
• -Wear shoes that fit well. Break in your new shoes slowly—wear them for an hour or two a day at first until they’re completely comfortable. Always wear socks with your shoes.
• -Trim your toenails straight across and gently smooth any sharp edges with a nail file. Have your foot doctor trim your toenails if you can’t reach your feet.
• -Don’t remove corns or calluses yourself, and especially don’t use over-the-counter products to remove them—they could burn your skin.
• -Keep the blood flowing. Put your feet up when you’re sitting, and wiggle your toes for a few minutes several times throughout the day.