Diabetes Foot Care: How to Keep Your Feet Healthy
Health ConditionsDiabetes

Diabetes Foot Care: 8 Habits to Keep Your Feet Healthy

Diabetes Foot Care: 8 Habits to Keep Your Feet Healthy
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Updated on March 20, 2026
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If you have diabetes, it’s essential that you pay special attention to the health of your feet.

Diabetes can increase your risk of foot problems because high blood sugar can contribute to nerve damage and circulation issues, both of which hit your extremities first.

 Infections and ulcers are common, and in the most dire cases, these problems can even lead to amputations.

Good diabetes foot care starts at home, and it takes only a few simple habits to identify foot problems before they grow serious, or to stop them from developing in the first place.

Illustrative graphic titled Diabetes Foot Care: Healthy Habits shows Check Your Feet Daily Keep Your Toenails Trim Check Your Shoes Before You Put Them On Wash Your Feet and Dry Them Well Don’t Go Barefoot Moisturize Dry Spots..
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1. Check Your Feet Daily

When you have diabetes, checking your feet every day can help you notice any problems as they arise and take action before they worsen.

 Alyson K. Myers, MD, a professor of endocrinology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, says people with diabetes should be looking for skin cracks, changes in their nails (such as discoloration or ingrown nails), and wounds like blisters or corns.

If it’s not easy for you to examine the bottoms of your feet independently, enlist the help of a loved one or caregiver.

“If [you’re] unable to do it [yourself], then it’s best to have a family member assist,” says Ryan Downey, DPM, the chief of podiatry at Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Salem, Oregon. “Using a mirror or smartphone camera to get a look at the bottom [of your feet] is also a good idea.”

2. Keep Your Toenails Trim

“Toenails can certainly be a source of trouble and, in some cases, infection,” says Dr. Downey.

When it comes to toenail care, Dr. Myers recommends using the guidelines set forth by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

 “They recommend using a straight-edge nail clipper and cutting straight across,” she says. Cutting straight across can help prevent ingrown toenails.

Keeping toenails short can also decrease the chances of bacteria or dirt building up beneath them, which is important for people with diabetes, as they can be at higher risk for skin infections.

Downey says some people who don’t have neuropathy or other issues with their feet may be able to care for their toenails themselves. Otherwise, toenail trimming can require professional help.

 He recommends seeking assistance from a family member or a local foot-care nurse.

3. Check Your Shoes Before You Put Them On

Pause for a moment to check for pebbles or any sharp debris in your shoes before you slide your feet inside.

 People with neuropathy don’t always notice little objects under their feet, even when they’re digging into the skin, which could potentially cause harm. Rough areas on shoes that rub or create friction can be a source of skin irritation as well.

It’s important to select appropriate footwear in the first place.

 “Avoid open-toe shoes, as the feet are prone to developing wounds,” says Myers. “Also avoid tight-fitting shoes. Both issues can be ameliorated by seeing a pedorthist who can properly size you,” she says.

“If the shoe is too narrow or too shallow, it can certainly cause friction, which can lead to a wound,” says Downey.

Choose shoes made of breathable materials to prevent moisture buildup, and avoid damp skin to decrease your risk of fungal infections.

4. Wash Your Feet and Dry Them Well

Not keeping your feet clean can increase your risk for infection, too.

 “Regular bathing or showering, including cleaning and inspecting between the toes, is very beneficial,” says Downey.
Cleaning your feet should be a daily practice. Use warm soapy water, and after washing, make sure to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between your toes.

“If moisture gets trapped in between the toes and socks or shoes are applied right away, that skin can be more prone to breakdown and infection,” says Downey. “So either thoroughly drying the feet or letting them air dry for a bit before putting on socks and shoes is important.”

5. Don’t Go Barefoot

People with diabetes should avoid walking around barefoot.

 They’re prone to peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage around the body, that can make it harder to notice when you step on something that could cause harm to your feet.

“With neuropathy, if you step on something sharp, you could certainly create a problem and just not know it, setting yourself up for a bigger problem down the line,” says Downey. “So protective shoe gear is always recommended.”

Appropriate socks also help you keep your feet clean thereby decreasing your risk of infection.

 “Bacteria is the typical cause of diabetic foot infections,” says Myers. “Wearing socks and closed-toe shoes can prevent bacteria from [causing trouble].”

6. Moisturize Dry Spots

Regular moisturization of the feet can be particularly helpful for people with diabetes.

“With altered circulation, [people with diabetes] can be even more prone to dryness, and dry skin can bring more tendency for callusing and for fissures or cracks in the skin, which can lead to breakdown,” says Downey. Additionally, scratching dry skin could increase infection risk.

Moisturizing your feet can be a daily practice after you clean and dry them.

 “Put a thick cream or Vaseline on the tops and bottoms of the feet,” says Myers.
Avoid putting moisturizers between the toes.

 “Wet skin between the toes can attract fungus,” she says.

7. Get Blisters and Sore Spots Treated Professionally

When foot wounds do occur, promptly seek medical assistance, telling your doctor about any foot problems you notice.

“Ideally, any change or problem should trigger an appointment for professional evaluation, whether that’s in person or a photo sent in for virtual evaluation,” says Downey.

“Any wound on the foot should be managed by a medical practitioner, not the patient,” says Myers. “The majority of the toe, foot, or leg amputations that I have seen are due to patients trying to manage them on their own or waiting for days before seeking care.”

It’s also good practice to have a doctor check your feet at least once a year.

8. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle and Control Blood Sugar

Finally, it’s important to look at the broader picture instead of focusing exclusively on foot care. “Work with a primary care provider to closely monitor [your] blood sugar levels and lead a healthy lifestyle,” says Downey.

The nerve and circulation issues that often lead to diabetic foot problems are ultimately caused by high blood sugar levels. The best way to address the root cause of most issues with your feet is by carefully managing your diabetes and hitting your A1C goal. Blood sugar management can also delay nerve damage and blood flow problems.

Myers encourages people with diabetes to not only maintain good glycemic control, but also speak with their healthcare provider about screenings for peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy. Tackling other areas of your health like exercise and blood pressure and cholesterol management can decrease your risk for foot ulcers, as well as support healthy blood flow.

The Takeaway

  • Perform daily foot checks for cracks, blisters, or nail changes, and wash your feet with warm soapy water, ensuring they are dried thoroughly — especially between the toes — to prevent fungal growth.
  • To prevent injury and irritation, avoid walking barefoot, wear properly fitted closed-toe shoes made of breathable materials, and always check the insides of your shoes for debris before putting them on.
  • Keep toenails trimmed straight across to avoid ingrown nails, and use moisturizer on dry areas to prevent skin fissures (though you should avoid applying lotion between the toes where moisture can trap bacteria).
  • Have any wounds or sores treated by a medical professional immediately rather than treating them yourself, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to manage the blood sugar levels that cause these complications.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  7. How to Trim Your Nails. American Academy of Dermatology Association.
  8. Health and Wellness: Diabetes Foot Care Tips. American Diabetes Association.
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  10. The Do’s and Don’ts of Diabetic Footwear. Baylor College of Medicine.
  11. Fungal Infections (Mycosis). Cleveland Clinic. October 25, 2022.
  12. Healthy Habits: Foot Hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 7, 2024.
  13. 8 Tips to Protect Your Feet with Diabetes. American Diabetes Association.
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  18. Amputation and Diabetes: How to Protect Your Feet. Mayo Clinic. January 21, 2026.
  19. Foot and Toe Ulcers. Cleveland Clinic. April 27, 2024.
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Elise M. Brett, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Elise M Brett, MD, is a board-certified adult endocrinologist. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and her MD degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She completed her residency training in internal medicine and fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at The Mount Sinai Hospital. She has been in private practice in Manhattan since 1999.

Dr. Brett practices general endocrinology and diabetes and has additional certification in neck ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, which she performs regularly in the office. She is voluntary faculty and associate clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is a former member of the board of directors of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. She has lectured nationally and published book chapters and peer reviewed articles on various topics, including thyroid cancer, neck ultrasound, parathyroid disease, obesity, diabetes, and nutrition support.
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Jessica Freeborn

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Jessica Freeborn has worked as a health and wellness freelance writer since 2021. She is passionate about encouraging people to take control of their health and stay informed about the latest medical advancements. She has two nursing degrees and has used her healthcare experience to enhance her writing and research.

As someone with type 1 diabetes, she understands the complexities surrounding diabetes management and wants to provide people with accurate information and dispel misconceptions about diabetes treatment.

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