• Make healthy lifestyle choices to help keep your blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol close to normal. Doing so may help prevent or delay diabetes-related foot problems as well as eye and kidney disease.
• Work with your health care team to make a diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle. The team may include your doctor, a diabetes educator, a nurse, a dietitian, a foot care doctor called a podiatrist (pah-DI-ah-trist), and other specialists. This team will help you to:
  • Know when to get check your ABCs - A1C* (blood glucose), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol.
  • Know how and when to test your blood glucose.
  • Take your medicines as prescribed.
  • Eat regular meals that contain a variety of healthy, low-fat, high-fiber foods including fruits and vegetables each day.
  • Get physical activity each day.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Follow your foot care plan.
  • Keep your doctor's visits and have your feet, eyes, and kidneys checked at least once a year.
  • Visit your dentist twice a year.

* A1C is a measure of your blood glucose over a 3-month period.

• You may have serious foot problems, but feel no pain. Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Find a time (evening is best) to check your feet each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine.
• If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a plastic mirror to help. You also can ask a family member or caregiver to help you.

Check your feet every day.

Make sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, blister or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after one day.

• You may have serious foot problems, but feel no pain. Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Find a time (evening is best) to check your feet each day. Make checking your feet part of your every day routine.
• If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a plastic mirror to help. You also can ask a family member or caregiver to help you.

Check your feet every day.

Make sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, blister or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after one day.

• If you have corns and calluses, check with your doctor or foot care specialist about the best way to care for them.
• If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin.
• Do not cut corns and calluses. Don't use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn and callus removers - they can damage your skin.

Gently rub calluses with a pumice stone.

Make sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, blister or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after one day.

• Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement.
• Put sunscreen on the top of your feet to prevent sunburn.
• Keep your feet away from radiators and open fires.
• Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.
• Wear socks at night if your feet get cold. Lined boots are good in winter to keep your feet warm.
• Check your feet often in cold weather to avoid frostbite.

Protect your feet when walking on hot surfaces.

Make sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, blister or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after one day.

• Ask your doctor to help you plan a daily activity program that is right for you.
• Walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are good forms of exercise that are easy on the feet.
• Avoid activities that are hard on the feet, such as running and jumping.
• Always include a short warm-up and cool-down period.
• Wear athletic shoes that fit well and that provide good support.

Walking briskly is a good exercise.

Make sure to call your doctor right away if a cut, blister or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after one day.

• Proper footwear is very important for preventing serious foot problems. Athletic or walking shoes are good for daily wear. They support your feet and allow them to "breathe."
  
• Never wear vinyl or plastic shoes, because they don't stretch or "breathe."
• When buying shoes, make sure they are comfortable from the start and have enough room for your toes.
• Don't buy shoes with pointed toes or high heels. They put too much pressure on your toes.

You may need special shoes or shoe inserts to prevent serious foot problems. If you have Medicare Part B insurance, you may be able to get some of the cost of special shoes or inserts paid for. Ask your doctor whether you qualify for

• 1 pair of depth shoes* and 3 pairs of inserts, or
  
• 1 pair of custom molded shoes (including inserts) and 2 additional pairs of inserts.

If you qualify for Medicare or other insurance coverage, your doctor or podiatrist will tell you how to get your special shoes.

* Depth shoes look like athletic or walking shoes, but have more room in them. The extra room allows for different shaped feet and toes, or for special inserts made to fit your feet.