Prevention · · 2 min read
Diabetes foot care: a daily check that matters
With diabetes, reduced sensation can make a foot injury less painful than expected. Daily inspection can identify changes earlier, but it does not replace professional assessment of sensation and circulation.
What to inspect
Check soles, heels, between the toes and the tops of both feet. Look for cuts, blisters, cracks, redness and swelling. Use a mirror or ask for help if needed. Compare changes with your feet's usual appearance.
Footwear and daily habits
Wear well-fitting footwear and check inside it for objects. Avoid walking barefoot. Use comfortably warm, not hot, water and dry carefully, especially between the toes. Do not test water temperature with a foot that has reduced sensation.
Avoid home procedures
Do not cut corns or use harsh corn-removal products without advice. Heating pads and very hot footbaths can injure skin when sensation is reduced. Ask a professional about difficult nail care or areas of pressure.
When to contact your team
A wound, increasing redness, swelling, discharge or colour change warrants prompt contact. Do not wait for pain to confirm that something is wrong. Signs of serious infection or rapid deterioration need urgent assessment.
Your practical checklist
- Inspect both feet and the inside of footwear.
- Record when a new injury appeared.
- Ask where to seek wound advice between routine appointments.
Questions and answers
Can I wait if it does not hurt?
No pain does not guarantee safety. Reduced sensation can hide the severity of an injury.
Is a photograph enough?
A photograph can support communication but cannot assess circulation, sensation or wound depth. An in-person examination may be necessary.
Sources
Sources checked on 26 September 2026.