How to Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers

According to the National Institutes of Health, the annual incidence of diabetic foot ulcers worldwide is between 9.1 to 26.1 million.  Around 15 to 25% of patients with diabetes mellitus will develop a diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime. Prevention is key and below are the do’s and don’ts for diabetic foot care.

Do

• Inspect your feet daily, including the bottoms, for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems.
• Regularly moisturize your feet to avoid drying or cracking; no lotion between the toes.
• Get periodic foot exams.
• Shake out your shoes and feel for objects inside before wear; you may not feel a small foreign object when your shoe is on your foot.
• Maintain healthy blood sugar levels; out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to nerve cell damage.
• Break in new shoes gradually.
• Speak with the provider who manages your diabetes about a prescription for diabetic shoes.

Don’t

• Never use heating pads, hot water bottles, or electric blankets; you can easily burn your feet without noticing.
• Don’t put your feet in hot water. Test with your hand first.
• Don’t try to remove corns or calluses. Visit your primary care provider or foot specialist.
• Don’t wear tight, elastic, thick, or bulky socks.
• Don’t let your feet get wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and waterproof shoes in the winter.
• Don’t walk barefoot, even at home. You can easily get a cut or step on a foreign object.

A small study in 2022 explored patients’ perceptions of reasons contributing to delays in seeking help and referral to a wound care specialist at the onset of a diabetic foot ulcer. They found the following reasons;

1. Limited knowledge about foot care.
2. Unaware of diabetic foot problems.
3. Underestimation of ulcer presentation.
4. “I thought I could fix it myself.”
5. Inaccurate diagnosis trial and error approach by a nonspecialized wound care provider.