Diabetic Foot Care

👣 Diabetic Foot Care Basics: What You Need to Know

By Dr. Darby Wehrley

If you or someone you love has diabetes, you know how important it is to stay ahead of health complications — and foot care is no exception. Diabetic foot problems can start small but lead to serious issues if not managed early. The good news? With a few simple habits, you can protect your feet and prevent complications.

As a healthcare professional, Dr. Darby Wehrley has seen firsthand how daily attention to foot health can prevent serious complications in patients with diabetes. Below, he shares his top tips for diabetic foot care basics — the steps every person with diabetes should know and follow.

✅ Why Is Foot Care So Important for People with Diabetes?

Diabetes can affect the nerves and blood flow in your feet, which makes it harder to feel injuries and slower for wounds to heal. Even something as small as a blister or cut can turn into an ulcer or infection if unnoticed.

“Prevention and early detection are the most important tools in managing diabetic foot health,” says Dr. Darby Wehrley. “Most serious complications are avoidable with basic daily care.”

🧼 1. Check Your Feet Every Day

Look at your feet every single day — even if they feel fine. Use a mirror to see the bottoms if needed, or ask for help.

Look for:

• Cuts or scrapes

• Red spots or swelling

• Blisters or sores

• Ingrown toenails

• Color or temperature changes

If you notice anything unusual, call your doctor or podiatrist right away. Dr. Wehrley emphasizes, “Don’t wait. Even minor problems can escalate quickly if ignored.”

🚿 2. Wash and Moisturize — But Carefully

• Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water

• Use a gentle soap and pat them dry, especially between the toes

• Apply a moisturizer to the tops and bottoms — but not between the toes, where moisture can cause fungal infections

  
  

🧦 3. Always Wear Socks and Proper Footwear

• Choose seamless, moisture-wicking socks made for people with diabetes

• Never walk barefoot, even indoors — stubbed toes or tiny splinters can be dangerous

• Wear shoes that fit well and support your feet

• Break in new shoes slowly to avoid blisters

According to Dr. Darby Wehrley, “Protective footwear is a simple, powerful way to avoid injuries that could become serious.”

✂️ 4. Trim Nails the Right Way

• Trim toenails straight across to help prevent ingrown nails

• File the edges gently — never cut too close to the skin

• If you have trouble trimming safely, ask a podiatrist for help

  
  

🩺 5. Get Regular Foot Exams

Schedule a foot check at least once a year with your doctor or podiatrist — more often if you've had problems before. Early detection is key to avoiding infections and ulcers.

“Foot exams are quick, painless, and essential,” says Dr. Wehrley. “They can catch issues long before they become dangerous.”

🚫 What to Avoid

• Don’t use heating pads or hot water bottles on your feet

• Don’t soak your feet unless your doctor tells you to

• Don’t treat corns, calluses, or warts with over-the-counter products

• Don’t ignore changes — speak up if you notice pain, swelling, or wounds

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👟 Final Thoughts: Prevention Is Powerful

Good foot care is one of the simplest ways to avoid serious diabetic complications. It takes just a few minutes each day to check, clean, and protect your feet — and it can save you from painful, expensive problems down the road.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for years, it’s never too late to step up your foot care routine. As Dr. Darby Wehrley often reminds his patients, “It’s not about doing everything perfectly — it’s about staying consistent and being aware.”