If you have diabetes, there are many things you need to know about managing it, from how to inject insulin and monitor your blood glucose levels to how to control your blood pressure and take good care of your feet. At Choice Podiatry Associates, the best foot care clinic in Cincinnati, OH, the board-certified podiatrists are experts in diabetic foot care.

Because diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet, people with diabetes are more likely to lose a toe, foot, or leg. Fortunately, with proper diabetic foot care, most people can prevent serious foot problems. Here are four foot care tips from the experts at Choice Podiatry Associates:

• Check Your Feet Every Day: Diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet, which means you might not notice cuts and sores that aren’t healing. It’s important that you check your feet every night for foot problems, such as cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. In addition, trim your toenails regularly. If you have difficulty seeing or reaching your feet, the podiatrists at Choice Podiatry Associates can help you.

• Wash & Dry Your Feet: To keep your skin soft and smooth, wash your feet with warm water and pat your skin dry. Rub lotion over your feet to keep them from cracking, but don’t put lotion between your toes. To prevent infections, make sure the skin between your toes is dry. You can put talcum powder or cornstarch between them if necessary.

• Always Wear Socks & Shoes: Because you might not always feel pain if you step on something sharp or hurt your feet, keep them protected by wearing socks and shoes. Look for shoes that have closed toes and heels, a stiff outer sole, and soft insides.

• Get Your Blood Flowing: One way to keep the blood flowing to your feet is to be more active. If you aren’t regularly exercising or moving around, consult with your health care team about how you can be more active. You can start with simple exercises, such as wiggling your toes and moving your ankles up and down for five minutes a few times a day.

The podiatrists at Choice Podiatry Associates are committed to helping you keep your feet healthy as you manage your diabetes. For more diabetic foot care tips, schedule an appointment by calling (513) 574-2424. For more information about the services offered at the best foot care clinic in Cincinnati, visit the website.