5 Ways to Protect Your Feet When You Have Diabetes
Apr 07, 2026
If living with diabetes has left you with concerns about your feet, our expert team at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, has the experience and expertise to help you protect your feet and address any issues before they become serious.
In this month’s blog, we go over five practical, proven ways to protect your feet when you’re living with diabetes.
Diabetes interferes with circulation and nerve function. Over time, high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to your feet, causing wounds to heal more slowly and tissue to become more vulnerable to infection.
At the same time, nerve damage gradually dulls the sensation in your feet. You may stop feeling pain, heat, or pressure the way you normally would.
A small blister, minor cut, or even a pebble stuck in your shoe can go unnoticed for days. Without proper blood flow to support healing, that tiny wound can become an open wound called an ulcer. Left untreated, ulcers can become infected. In the most severe cases, that infection can lead to gangrene and ultimately, amputation.
This is not meant to frighten you. It’s meant to make clear just how much is at stake and why attentive diabetic foot care is crucial. If you notice warning signs like persistent numbness or tingling, sores or wounds that aren’t healing, unusual swelling, discoloration, or skin that looks dry and cracked, see a specialist right away.
Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to maintain healthy feet — and prevent serious complications that warrant specialist care — when you have diabetes. Our top five tips are:
Every day, take a few minutes to look carefully at your feet. Check the tops, soles, heels, and between each toe. If you have trouble seeing the bottoms of your feet clearly, use a mirror on the floor, or ask a family member for help.
You’re looking for cuts, scrapes, blisters, redness, swelling, bruising, or any area that looks different from how it did before. Because diabetic neuropathy can reduce sensation in your feet, you may feel nothing even when something is wrong.
Wash your feet every day with mild soap and lukewarm water. Never use hot water, because neuropathy can affect your ability to feel temperature accurately. After washing, dry your feet thoroughly, paying close attention to the spaces between your toes. Moisture trapped between the toes creates an environment for fungal infections to develop.
Once your feet are dry, apply a good moisturizing lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet to prevent cracking and dryness. Cracks create skin openings through which bacteria can enter.
Look for shoes with a wide toe box to give your toes ample space, good arch support, and cushioning that absorbs impact. Avoid pointed-toe shoes, high heels, and anything that puts pressure on any one part of the foot.
When you buy new shoes, wear them in gradually rather than going straight into a full day of walking. Consider using custom orthotics to provide support — and relieve pressure — exactly where your feet need it.
Avoid going barefoot. Even a quick trip across the kitchen floor can put you at risk of sustaining a cut or splinter you won’t feel until it causes a problem.
Everything that makes diabetic foot complications possible (poor circulation, nerve damage, slow wound healing) is associated with chronically elevated blood sugar levels over time.
When your blood sugar is well-managed, your body retains more of its natural ability to fight infection and heal wounds. Follow a diet that supports stable blood sugar, stay active, and take your medications as prescribed.
Even if your feet look and feel fine, regular visits to a podiatrist are non-negotiable. A podiatrist can spot early signs of trouble that you might easily miss on your own.
During a routine diabetic foot care visit, your podiatrist examines your feet thoroughly, checks your circulation and nerve function, and addresses calluses, ingrown toenails, or other issues before they have a chance to worsen and become more serious.
If you have diabetes and you’re concerned about your foot health, or if you’ve already noticed something that doesn’t look quite right, we’re here to help. Contact your nearest South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, office in San Antonio or Kerrville, Texas, to schedule an evaluation today.