When I meet someone with diabetes, I always ask one more thing: “Please show me your feet.” Feet are far from the heart and the brain, so problems there are often noticed late.
Why the feet are at risk
High sugar can damage nerves, so you may not feel a stone, a nail or a blister. It can also reduce blood flow, so wounds heal slowly. A small cut that nobody feels can turn into an ulcer within days.
Seven things to do every day
- Look at both feet, including between the toes and the heels. Use a mirror or ask family to help.
- Wash with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Test the water with your elbow, not your foot.
- Dry well, especially between the toes.
- Moisturise the skin, but not between the toes.
- Cut nails straight across, and do not dig into the corners.
- Check inside your shoes before wearing, for stones or rough seams.
- Never walk barefoot, even at home or on the terrace.
Choosing footwear
Wear soft, closed shoes that fit well, with socks that are clean and cotton or soft material. Buy shoes in the evening when feet are a little swollen. Avoid tight chappals that rub between the toes.
See a doctor the same day if you notice
- A blister, cut, crack or corn that is not healing.
- Redness, warmth, swelling or a bad smell.
- A black or blue patch.
- New numbness, pain or colour change.
Yearly foot check
Your doctor should check your feet at least once a year, testing feeling and pulses. People with numbness or earlier wounds may need checks more often. A little care every day is much easier than treating an ulcer.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, a simple blood sugar check is available at our clinic in Gopanpally, Gachibowli. You can read more about our diabetes care or contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/48/Supplement_1
- International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot. IWGDF Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes. 2023. https://iwgdfguidelines.org
- World Health Organization. Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes