Good foot care practice
Good foot care and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers requires daily foot inspections by the patient with diabetes (or their caregiver, if the patient’s vision is poor).1
Bony pressure points and folds of skin should be checked for signs of damage, which include:
| | |
Dry or cracked skin | Unusually pale skin or unusually reddened patches | Abnormalities such as cuts and abrasions |
Healthy skin can be maintained by gentle cleansing of the feet and the use of topical moisturizers, which make the foot more resistant to breakdown and injury.
References [+]
- Armstrong DG, Lavery LA. Diabetic foot ulcers: prevention, diagnosis and classification. Am Fam Physician. 1998;57(6):1325-1332, 1337-1328.