SOME GUIDELINES FOR FOOT CARE

1. Wash and keep feet dry daily

• Use mild soaps
• Use warm water
• Pat the skin dry; do not rub during the drying process. feet
• After washing your feet, use lotion to prevent dry and cracked skin. Do not apply lotion between the toes

2. Check your feet daily

• Check both the top and bottom of your feet. Have someone else check for you if you cannot check them yourself
• Check for dryness and cracking
• Check for blisters, itching, cuts, or sores
• Check for redness, increased temperature, or pain when touching any area of the foot
• Check if toenails are ingrown, or if there are corns and calluses
• If you have blisters or sores caused by your shoes, you must stop wearing them immediately, bandage your feet, and use other shoes

3. Toenail care

• Cut toenails after bathing, and when the toenails are soft
• Cut toenails straight across and file them smooth with a nail file
• Avoid cutting into the corners of the toenails
• Do not cut the cuticles
• You may need a specialized medical professional to cut your toenails for you

4. Be careful when exercising

• Walk and exercise with appropriate shoes
• Do not exercise when you have sores on your feet

5. Protect your feet with shoes and socks

• Never go barefoot. Always protect your feet with shoes or wear sandals with a hard sole
• Avoid wearing high heels and pointed-toe shoes
• Avoid wearing open-toed shoes or sandals. These types of footwear can increase the risk of injury and infection to your feet
• Use new shoes with the types of socks you usually wear
• Do not wear new shoes for more than 1 hour the first time you use them
• Change your socks daily
• Observe and check your shoes before putting your feet in to ensure there are no foreign objects or rough, uneven areas
• Avoid tight socks.
• Use socks made of natural fibers (cotton, wool, or a blend of cotton and wool).
• Use special shoes if recommended by your doctor.
• Use shoes/boots that protect your feet from various weather conditions (cold, damp, etc.).
• Ensure your shoes fit properly. If you have nerve damage, you may not know if your shoes are too tight, so you should perform the footwear test below.

6. Footwear test

• Stand on a piece of paper. (Make sure to stand, not sit, because your feet change shape when standing.)
• Trace the outline of your foot.
• Trace the outline of your shoe.
• Compare the two outlines to see if the shoe space is too narrow. Is your foot too tight? Is the shoe at least half an inch longer than your longest toe and the width of your foot?

7. Choosing appropriate footwear

• Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes.
• The toe box should not have any internal seams.
• At least 1/2 inch longer than the longest toe.
• The inside of the shoe must be soft with no rough spots.
• The outer sole of the shoe must be made of firm material.
• The minimum width of the shoe must be equal to the width of the foot.

8. Foot care for diabetic patients
If you have diabetes, do not wait to treat any minor foot problems. You should follow the instructions of medical personnel and medical first aid guidelines.

• Report foot injuries and infections to medical personnel immediately.
• Check water temperature with your elbow, not your feet.
• Do not use heating pads to warm your feet.
• Do not cross your legs.
• Do not treat calluses and other foot problems yourself. See a doctor or a podiatrist immediately for appropriate treatment.

9. When advised by your treating doctor
In addition to regular check-ups at medical facilities, you should see a doctor immediately if you encounter any of the following problems:

• Keep the areas between your toes dry.
• Ulcers or injuries on the feet.
• Ingrown toenails.
• Increased numbness and pain.
• Callus.
• Red feet.
• Dark skin.
• Inflammation between the toes.
• Infection.
• Hammer toes.