If You Smoke, Stop
Smoking is a poor lifestyle choice for countless reasons, but as a diabetic, you expose yourself to the additional risk for amputation if you continue the habit. Smoking impairs circulation and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. These circulation problems can result in more severe wounds and poor healing quality/longer healing times, all of which can spell disaster for a diabetic. If you need help quitting, talk to a doctor about your options, and don’t stop trying.
Don’t Try to Remove Calluses or Lesions Yourself
Aside from using a pumice stone gently, never use a nail file, clippers, scissors or other tools to try to remove calluses, corns, bunions or warts because you put yourself at risk for injury. If you find any of these skin lesions, make an appointment with a foot specialist, called a podiatrist, to remove them for you. When caring for your toenails, be sure to trim nails straight across to avoid creating ingrown toenails and carefully file any sharp ends with an emery board.
Schedule Regular Podiatrist Appointments
Despite daily inspections, you should still schedule regular podiatrist exams -- no less than once a year but more often if recommended by your doctor. A podiatrist can inspect your feet for early signs of nerve damage, poor circulation, or other foot problems that you may be unable to diagnose during your own inspections.
Take Foot Injuries Seriously
If you discover a foot injury during a daily inspection or notice that you are developing a foot sore that doesn’t heal quickly, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis and work with you on a course of treatment that will keep your foot safe.
During summer months especially, feet are at higher risk for fungal infection and calluses because of the weather. For a diabetic, a fungal infection -- like athlete’s foot -- can lead to dangerous complications if not promptly and properly treated. Calluses may lead to cracked skin, which can become infected. While most people can rely on over the counter (OTC) medications to treat these issues, it’s best for a diabetic to seek professional treatment, particularly with a healthcare professional who has experience with the special needs of diabetics, so that these otherwise minor infections don’t lead to major complications.