Foot care is always important, and that’s especially true for individuals with diabetes. The disease can cause nerve damage, making it difficult to feel sensations in your feet. This means you could step on a rock and get cut without noticing, exposing the wound to infection. The risk of accidents can be greater during summer when feet are exposed in sandals. To avoid dangerous injuries, follow the foot care advice below.

3 Summer Care Tips for Diabetic Feet 

1. Remember to Wear Shoes Outside

From sharp grains of sand to twigs in tall grass and glass on the pavement, you could scrape or cut the soles of your feet on various objects lurking on the ground outside. To minimize the likelihood of injury, always keep shoes on when spending time outdoors. As foot sensation is diminished, you might not feel pain when walking over the hot pavement in bare feet either. Putting on footwear will also prevent burns that expose tissue to harmful bacteria. 

2. Put on Breathable Materials

Sweaty feet are common during summer. The moisture that collects on the tops and bottoms of feet and between toes could cause fungus to form. To avoid athlete’s foot and other serious infections, wear shoes and socks that let air circulate freely. You should also shake a coat of talcum powder in socks and footwear to pull moisture away from your skin. 

3. Examine & Wash Feet Daily

Even when taking the above precautions this summer, examine your feet as part of your daily foot care routine. This way, you can detect any problems to bring to the attention of your foot doctor before they lead to ulcers, fungal infections, and other serious health issues. During the inspection, make sure you are in a well-lit area and use a magnifying glass if needed. Make note of irritated areas, cuts, welts, bruises, or any other abnormalities. As part of your summer foot care regimen, wash your feet each night to remove harmful grime and moisturize your skin to prevent dehydration and cracking. 

For additional diabetic foot care advice to keep you healthy throughout the year, contact the professionals at Westside Podiatry Group. Serving residents in Monroe County, NY, for five decades, the podiatrists will assess the condition of your feet and devise a treatment plan to put an end to heel pain, help wounds heal, and solve additional foot problems. To schedule an appointment at the West Ridge Road facility in Rochester, call (585) 225-2290. Dial (585) 247-2170 for assistance at the Beahan Road branch and (585) 506-9790 to connect with a representative at the Westfall Road location. Visit the practice online to download patient forms and become a Facebook follower for more tips to alleviate discomfort.