This is an Angiologist.Com patient handout about foot care. Angiologist.Com patient handouts are not medical advice. They are intended as a general guide. For specific instructions please contact your doctor.
Why is foot care important?
The simplest of foot injuries can be terrible for people who have vascular problems. Even a small ulcer, cut or wound can progress. Progression can lead to infection and even loss of parts of the foot or parts of the leg. This is sometimes life threatening.
Who needs foot care?
Foot care is important for anyone with vascular disease. Patients with peripheral artery disease or patients with diabetes are at particularly high risk.
Peripheral artery disease and diabetes can cause neuropathy. Patients with neuropathy cannot feel their legs. This means that injury and infection can occur and you will not know it is there unless you check. Checking is the most important part of foot care.
How can I take care of my feet?
If you surf the net you will find many people trying to sell you expensive foot care products. Most of these are usually not necessary. Foot care is all about checking and reacting on time. Basic foot care can be done at home, on your own or with the help of family and friends. Some problems need professional help. These problems should be addressed as soon as possible.
Check your feet
Checking your feet is the secret for great foot care. Make it a routine. Make sure you check all parts of your feet: Top, bottom and between the toes. Some patients with diabetes may have a problem with inspecting their feet. This may be because of sight problems that are also a result of diabetes or because of inability to reach the feet. In such a case ask for help.
What should you look for on your feet? Look for cuts, scrapes, cracks in the skin, wounds, ingrown toenails, areas of pressure, areas of redness, corns and athlete’s foot (which is fungus). If any of these problems are found you need to treat them. Athlete’s foot is treated with an antifungal cream.
Tips for checking your feet:
- Use a mirror to look beneath your feet. Use a magnifying glass to take a close look at your feet.
- Make it a habit to check your feet at the same time every day. This way you will not forget to check them.
- If you cannot see your feet because of poor eye sight or because of trouble bending down have someone help you.
- If you find signs of infection tell your doctor right away. Never say “this will go away”. Infections in people with vascular problems can spread quickly. An infection found is a chance to fight it on time.
React on time
Foot care involves reacting to problems even before they arise. Any problem you find when checking your feet should be treated immediately. Prevent problems by anticipating them. If you are about to lay in bed for a long period of time, prepare with a proper mattress. If you are going on a hike get proper shoes. Do not walk bare-foot. Treat infections immediately. Treat fungus immediately.
Wash your feet
Washing your feet has the following steps:
- Wash your feet every day. Make sure the water is not too hot and not too cold. Lukewarm water and a mild soap are best for this purpose. Do not use the water before checking the temperature. Use your hand, elbow or a thermometer.
- Dry your feet after washing them. Use a soft cloth or towel. Dry by tapping the skin; do not rub. Do not forget to dry between the toes.
- Is your skin dry? Use a thin layer of cream or lotion that contains lanolin or oil-in-water. Examples of creams: Alpha-Keri, Lubriderm, Nivea, Lac-Hydrin 12%). Do not use Vaseline or oils.
Tip: Do not put cream between your toes.
Take care of your toenails
Toenails can be thick for several reasons. Common causes are poor circulation and fungus. A thick nail can cause pressure and damage to the skin. It can also get caught on a sock and tear off. An ingrown nail can also cause skin damage. Sometimes a podiatrist is needed to take care of the nails.
Choose proper shoes
People who have swollen legs may find it hard to find properly fitting shoes. Here are some tips for choosing the right shoes for foot care:
- Some shoes fit in the morning but be tight by the end of the day. Proper shoes need to be right for you throughout the day. This is why it is better to shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are most swollen. Even then allow some room for your toes to wiggle.
- Open heeled shoes are unstable. Only closed shoes offer support. Closed shoes also guard the shoe from injury.
- A properly fitting shoe should not be tight. Do not tie the shoe tightly as this may cause injury to the top of your foot.
- Leather shoes are better than synthetic shoes.
- After buying new shoes break them in gradually. New shoes may be hard and cause abrasions.
- Do not wear high heeled shoes. These may cause pressure on the front of the foot.
- Shoes should be worn with socks. Socks protect the feet. Change socks every day. Be aware of seams. If you choose a sock with seams they may cause pressure on the foot and injury.
Tip: Check your shoes everyday before putting them on. Make sure there are no stones in the shoe. Make sure the shoe does not have a stitch bulging in. Checking your shoe can prevent pressure on your foot.
Common mistakes in foot care
Do not use chemicals to treat corns or calluses. These chemicals can cause burns and injury to your skin. Never cut a callus. If a corn needs to be cut, see a specialist. It may be better to use an emery board or pumice stone.
Many people trim their own toenails in a wrong way. There are rules to trimming toenails: Clean the nails before cutting them. Cut straight. Do not attempt to curve onto the toe. This may cause injury to the skin. Use a file to treat the sharp edges. do not tear off hangnails.
Read more about foot care
- American Diabetic Association guidelines for foot care in diabetes.
- Foot care in patients with diabetes. An excellent clinically oriented text from the New England Journal of Medicine. 1984.