UNIT FOUR LESSON 11
Foot Care
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, participants should be able to:
1. Explain the importance of taking care of their feet
2. Explain the daily, weekly, and yearly care of their feet
3. Set a goal that relates to foot care
4. Describe feelings and experiences of living with diabetes
5. Identify ways to modify everyday snacks to fit into the
diabetes meal plan
L-esson
How High Glucose
Damages The Feet
Neuropathy (noo-ROP-uh-thee)
 Nerve damage in the legs and feet
 Lack of feeling of pain, heat, or cold
 Sores, blisters, or cuts, on the feet may be present
without the person realizing
 Skin may break down and become infected
How High Glucose
Damages The Feet
Peripheral Vascular Disease
 Circulation problems or poor blood flow in the legs and
feet
 Tissues and skin affected by poor blood flow may die,
which is known as gangrene (GANG-green)
 To keep gangrene from spreading to other tissues of
the body, the doctor may amputate the infected area
How High Glucose
Damages The Feet
Dry itchy skin
 High blood glucose causes the body to lose fluids
 This is because the nerves that control the oil and
moisture in the feet no longer work
 This makes skin dry, itchy, and prone to cracks
and infections
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems
Daily Foot Care
Check for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and
infected toenails
 Set a specific time each day to check your feet
 Use a mirror if you cannot bend over or pull your feet up
to check them
 See a doctor right away if a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on
the foot does not begin to heal after a day or two
Daily Foot Care
Wash both feet in warm water every day
 Use a thermometer or your elbow to make sure the
temperature of the water is not too hot
 Avoid soaking feet
 Dry your feet well after washing and pat your skin dry
instead of rubbing
Daily Foot Care
 Pay attention to the area between your toes and use
talcum powder to keep it dry
 Use lotion to keep the skin at the top and bottom of the
feet soft
 Do not put cream or lotion between your toes
Weekly Foot Care
 Trim your toenails:
 After washing your feet when
they are soft
 Straight across and avoid
cutting into the corners
 Use a nail file or emery
board to smooth nail
after trimming
Yearly Foot Care
 Have a doctor check your feet
 Take off your socks and shoes before the doctor
comes in
 Tell the doctor if there is pain in the feet or other serious
foot problems
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
 Are the nerves in my feet healthy?
 How is the blood flow to my legs and feet?
 What exercises should I do?
 How should I trim my toenails?
 What lotions or creams should I use?
How to Protect Your Feet
 Wear shoes and socks at all times, even when
you are indoors, to prevent blisters and sores
 Avoid wearing socks that are too tight below the knees,
as these may reduce blood flow to the legs and feet
 Use socks without seams to prevent blisters
Protect Your Feet From:
 Heat





Radiators
Open fires
The sun
Hot pavements
Hot water bottles
and heating pads
 Cold weather
How to Keep Blood Flowing
to the Legs and Feet
 Put your feet up when sitting
 Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and
down for five minutes, two or three times a day
 Avoid crossing your legs for long periods or wearing
tight socks, elastic or rubber bands, or garters
around the legs
 Avoid smoking, which reduces blood flow to the feet
How to Choose Proper Shoes
 Have feet measured each time before
buying shoes because the size and shape of
the feet change over time
 Buy shoes that are comfortable and that fit
the length and width of the feet with plenty
of room for the toes
 Shoes should not be too big as this can also
cause foot ulcers
How to Choose Proper Shoes
 New shoes should be comfortable when
purchased and should not need a “break-in”
period
 Avoid wearing new shoes for more than an
hour at a time
 It is best to try on shoes with the type of
socks you will wear with them
How to Choose Proper Shoes
 Avoid shoes with high heels and pointed
toes
 Avoid shoes such as sandals that expose
your toes and heels
How to Identify Foot Problems
Problem
Signs and
Symptoms
Foot changes
Nerve or sensation
changes
Skin changes
Shape, color or temperature
Burning, tingling, or hurting
of the feet
Drying and cracking
Poor circulation
Blisters, sores, and ulcers
E-mpowerment
Diabetes Education Series: Foot Care
Diabetes Education Series
 Describe your experiences and feelings living with
diabetes and caring for your feet.
 What was most difficult for you?
 What are ways that you could overcome some of these
difficulties?
A-ction
Did you accomplish the goal you set last week?
Your goal is to follow daily, weekly, and yearly care of your feet.
This is a goal on your Diabetes Checklist.
R-eal-Life Problem Solving
Keith’s Story
Keith’s Story
Questions about Keith’s
Story
 What is Keith’s problem?
 Why is this problem for Keith?
 What are some things that Keith needs to do to solve
this problem? List as many solutions as possible.
 What do you think is the best solution and why?
Questions about Keith’s
Story
 Please find the Real-Life Problem Solving handout for
this lesson in your folder
 These questions will help with your understanding of
Keith’s story
N-utrition
Menu
Spicy Snack Mix
Chili Bean Dip with Wrap
See you next week!
Topic for the next week: Your Health Care Team
Author: Ingrid Adams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor , Nutrition and
Food Science, University of Kentucky
Other Contributors
Margaret E. Cook-Newell, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.,
CDE
Irene Hong-McAtee, MD, MCR
Date:
Hazel Forsythe, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CFCS
Stephen D. Perry, M.S., R.D., L.D.
References:
Pam Sigler, M.S.
Adrienne Glodt, B.S., Graduate Student
Lynn Blankenship, M.S., Metcalfe County
Laura Hieronymus, MSEd, APRN, BC-ADM,
CDE
Theresa Scott, M.A., Floyd County
Cheryl Case, M.S., Harrison County
Tamara Thomas, M.S., Franklin County
Ann Hollon, M.A., Wolfe County
Rusty Manseau, B.A., Graphic Artist