Basic Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes

Living with diabetes means taking extra care of your health; your feet deserve particular attention. While often overlooked, diabetic foot care is crucial in preventing complications that can lead to ulcers, infections, and even amputation.

At QCity Podiatry, we provide expert, compassionate care to people with diabetes in Queanbeyan and surrounding regions, empowering our patients to stay active, mobile, and pain-free.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential foot care tips for people with diabetes, explain why they matter, and show you how to recognise early warning signs before they become serious.

Why Diabetic Foot Care Is So Important

Diabetes can affect both the nervous system and the vascular system, which can significantly increase your risk of developing foot complications.

Key Risks Include:

• Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the nerves in your feet reduces sensation. You may not feel injuries like cuts, blisters, or burns, which can then worsen unnoticed.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): Diabetes can cause the blood vessels to narrow, restricting blood flow. This impairs healing and increases the chance of infection.
• Reduced immune response: Diabetes compromises the body’s natural ability to fight infections, making it easier for minor issues to develop into more severe problems.
• Foot deformities and structural changes: Chronic high blood sugar can also contribute to changes in the shape of the feet and toes, leading to areas of high pressure that can cause ulcers.

The good news is that most diabetic foot issues can be prevented with regular care, early intervention, and the support of a podiatrist.

Daily Foot Care Routine for Diabetics

Inspect Your Feet Every Day

Daily visual inspection is the cornerstone of diabetic foot care.

Use this checklist:

• Look for cuts, scratches, blisters, redness, swelling, or bruising
• Watch for discolouration, cold or hot spots, and shiny or thinning skin
• Inspect between the toes for moisture, fungus, or irritation
• Feel for lumps or bumps that could indicate pressure points

Can’t see your soles? Use a mirror or ask a carer or family member to help.

Why this matters: Early detection means early treatment. A small blister caught today can prevent a severe ulcer next week.

Wash and Dry Your Feet Gently

Good hygiene reduces the risk of infection.

• Use lukewarm water (test it with your elbow, not your foot)
• Avoid soaking feet for more than 5 minutes
• Use mild soap, fragrance-free is best
• Pat dry gently with a soft towel, especially between the toes

Avoid:

• Harsh scrubbing
• Hot water
• Soaking in Epsom salts or vinegar (unless advised by your podiatrist)

Moisturise Daily—But Not Between the Toes

Dry, cracked skin is a common issue in people with diabetes and can lead to fissures that allow bacteria to enter.

• Apply fragrance-free moisturiser to the tops and bottoms of your feet
• Do not apply cream between the toes (moisture buildup here can lead to fungal infections)

Trim Toenails Carefully and Safely

Poor nail care can lead to painful ingrown toenails and infections.

• Trim straight across using nail clippers
• File sharp edges gently
• Do not cut too short or dig into the corners
• If nails are thick, yellowed, or curved, seek professional help

When in doubt, book a nail care appointment with QCity Podiatry. Our team is trained to safely trim and manage nails for individuals with diabetes.

Wear the Right Footwear—Always

Footwear should protect your feet from injury and support healthy alignment.

Tips for diabetic-friendly shoes:

• Choose closed-toe, breathable, well-fitting shoes
• Avoid sandals, thongs, or shoes with hard seams
• Ensure shoes have a wide toe box, good cushioning, and non-slip soles
• Wear clean, seamless socks daily

Check inside your shoes before wearing: Remove any debris, sharp edges, or foreign objects.

And remember: Never go barefoot, even indoors.

Avoid Home Treatments and “Quick Fixes”

Don’t attempt to treat corns, calluses, or other foot issues yourself.

Avoid:

• Razor blades or scissors
• Over-the-counter corn removers
• “Foot peels“ or chemical soaks

Why? These products and tools can cause skin damage, leading to ulcers or infections. All debridement and corn removal should be handled by a podiatrist in a controlled, sterile setting.

Stay Physically Active—But Monitor Your Feet

Exercise is excellent for improving circulation and blood sugar control, but it can also create pressure areas or blisters if the footwear isn’t appropriate.

Best practices:

• Always wear supportive footwear when exercising
• Start gradually to avoid overuse injuries
• Check your feet before and after exercise for redness, hot spots, or soreness
• Avoid walking barefoot, even on grass or sand

If you’re unsure whether your feet are ready for activity, ask your podiatrist for a pre-exercise foot check.

Control Your Blood Sugar

High blood glucose levels are directly linked to the development of diabetic complications.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar supports:

• Nerve health
• Skin integrity
• Immune system function
• Circulation and healing

Work with your GP, endocrinologist, or diabetes educator to monitor your glucose levels, medications, and nutritional needs.

Quit Smoking to Improve Circulation

Smoking significantly increases your risk of peripheral artery disease and delays wound healing. If you smoke and have diabetes, your risk of foot complications, including amputation, is considerably higher.

Need help? Contact Quitline or speak with your GP about smoking cessation support.

Schedule Regular Podiatry Visits

Regularly visiting your podiatrist is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your foot health.

At QCity Podiatry, we recommend:

• Annual foot assessments for low-risk patients
• 3–6 monthly reviews for moderate to high-risk individuals
• More frequent visits for those with active ulcers, previous wounds, or structural foot changes

During a Diabetic Foot Assessment, We Check:

• Circulation (vascular assessment)
• Nerve function (neurological assessment)
• Skin integrity, nails, and pressure areas
• Footwear fit and suitability
• Overall foot structure, gait, and balance

We also provide education, footwear recommendations, and long-term care plans.

Know the Warning Signs: What to Watch For

If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek immediate care:

• A sore, blister, or wound that isn’t healing
• Redness or swelling that’s getting worse
• A foul odour, discharge, or blackened tissue
• Sudden numbness, burning, or tingling in the feet
• Cold or pale toes
• Cracks or open skin on heels or pressure points
• Changes in foot shape (such as claw toes or Charcot foot)

Time matters. Quick action can prevent hospitalisation and preserve your mobility.

How QCity Podiatry Supports Diabetics

We are proud to serve patients living with diabetes across Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong, and surrounding regions.

Our Services Include:

• Routine foot care (nails, corns, calluses)
• Diabetic foot assessments and risk classification
• Wound care and ulcer management
• Orthotics to redistribute pressure
• Advice on footwear and protective socks
• Education and resources to empower self-care
• Collaboration with GPs, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators

Our clinic is equipped with the latest tools and technology to ensure safe, gentle, and effective care for all levels of diabetic risk.