How to do a Diabetic Foot Exam

Even if you haven’t really suffered from  any diabetic complications, it is advised to check your feet on a weekly basis to detect any diabetes related symptoms of feet problems. Any loss of sensation or wounds should be taken a careful note of.

[Read: Dos and Don'ts of Diabetic Foot Care]

Diabetic foot inspection is not only significant to prevent development of diabetes caused wounds, but will guide you to schedule a follow-up care program with your doctor. In case your protruding belly is making it difficult for you to have comprehensive examination of your feet, you may ask a caretaker (nurse or podiatrist) to volunteer.

Listed here are the instructions to do a diabetic foot exam.

Step 1: Position to diagnose your feet

Clean and dry your feet before you start checking it. Sit on  a chair with your legs hanging mid-air. Lift one of your  leg and place  the calf on the knee of the other leg. This way you can easily check your foot. Repeat the same procedure for the other leg as well.

Step 2: Examine the bottom of your feet

Make sure that the sole of the foot is visible to you. In case, you cannot comfortably see your ankle, use a mirror so that you can check its reflection. Here are parts of your foot that have to be diagnosed for diabetic neuropathy or wounds in your feet.

Balls: Check for bumps, calluses (corns) and irregular textures. Due to the high pressure exerted on the feet balls  while you walk, they become vulnerable to wounds, thus checking them time-to-time is a must for  diabetes patients.

Soles: Sole of a diabetic foot should be diagnosed for lumps, ulcers and bumps on its skin. These can be indicative of injured nerves/muscles due to soaring blood sugar level.  

Heels: Despite your constant moisturising your feet if your heels are  persistently hard and cracked, it is advisable to bring it in the notice of your doctor. Fissures in the heels can get infected, thus it is best to treat your skin  at the earliest

Between the Toes: The area between your toes is a warm and moist place, thus a favourable spot for bacteria to multiply. It is best to check the area between the toes for small ulcers, bumps or irregular texture of skin.

Step 3: Examine the top of your feet

If you find any sores, open wounds, bruises or calluses on the top of your feet, you should consult your doctor to learn the reason of the problem and also to get treatment as soon as possible.

You should also check your feet for possible  signs of reduced blood flow.  Some of  its signs are: temperature variation in the parts of your feet, apparent changes in the skin of the feet or unexplained hairlessness.

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