Find out more

Watch out cutting your nails

Cutting your nails seems simple. But if you have diabetes, piercing the skin by mistake can lead to other injuries, and you might not even notice you’ve done it.

When you cut your toenails:

cut them often but not too short or down the side
trim them with nail clippers and then use an emery board to file any corners
clean them gently with a nail brush – don’t use the sharp points of scissors to clean them as this isn’t safe.

Washing daily is also a simple way to keep your feet and toenails clean and away from infection. Just a simple mix of soap and warm water will do, but always check the temperature before you put your feet in.

Be careful not to soak your feet as this just makes the skin soggy and more likely to get damaged.  

If you’ve lost some sensation in your feet or you’re worried about things like ingrown toenails, call our podiatrists today.

Make sure your footwear fits

If your shoes or socks are too tight, too loose or rub, then don’t wear them.

The right shoes and stockings, tights or socks will help keep your feet healthy. Shoes that don’t fit well, even those that feel comfortable, can cause all sorts of problems as can things like old innersoles, or socks with holes or thick seams. 

This is why you need to choose footwear carefully. Our tips should help you find the right footwear in a high street store at a decent price.

It’s good to buy shoes that:

are broad fitting
have a deep and rounded toe area
are flat or low heeled
are fastened by a lace or buckle to stop your feet sliding around.
If you’re unsure of the fit or style that is best for you, then ask our podiatrist for advice.

Use moisturising cream every day

Using emollient cream will keep your skin healthy. It’s best to talk to your podiatrist about which emollient cream is right for you. Don’t put cream between your toes, as this can cause problems. The same for talcum powder – if it gets clogged up between your toes, it could also cause excessive dryness.

Don’t use blades or corn plasters

Your skin needs to stay healthy. Don’t use plasters to remove corns or blades on your corns or tough skin as they could damage your skin.

Pumice stones can also help with tough skin, but use them with care. If you need help with corns or other skin problems, call us today and let our professional podiatrist take care of it.

Get expert advice

A Podiatrist should check your feet at least once a year if you are a low risk diabetic. It’s a good chance to check anything you might have spotted with them yourself.

But don’t wait a whole year to ask them. If you notice a problem – call us now.

Having diabetes means you’re at much greater risk of developing foot problems.

This is because raised blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can damage the sensation in your feet.

It can also affect your circulation, which can mean blood can’t flow around your body properly, especially to your feet. Without a good blood supply, you may have problems with cuts and sores healing. You may also get cramps and pain in your legs or feet. These are just some of the signs of a serious foot problem.

If you don’t get these problems treated, they could lead to foot ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations. Most foot problems can be prevented with regular appointments with our podiatrists.

You also need to know how to look after your feet at home.

Here is some guidance on what signs to look out for when you check your feet.

Because of your diabetes, foot problems can get worse quickly, whether you’re about to put your socks on, or you’re taking them off before bed, have a good look. Any changes, and you should see a podiatrist straight away.

If you struggle to lift your feet up, then you might want to use a mirror to see the soles of your feet. If this is too hard, or if your eyesight is not as good as it was, try to get someone else to check your feet for you. And if you need help but live alone, it’s good to speak to our podiatrists about how to check your feet.

If you’ve lost any feeling in your feet, you need to be especially careful as you won’t know if you’ve hurt yourself. If you’re unsure if you’ve lost any feeling, call us today for an appointment as our specialist podiatrist can examine your feet and give you the best advice on what to do next.

Ask our podiatrists questions. The more you know, the more you can keep an eye on any changes in your feet.

Call us today to book a consultation or for more information.