At least daily.
Self-exams are a crucial part of daily diabetic foot care. Since complications of diabetes can limit your body’s ability to heal itself and also inhibit sensation in your lower legs, a manual exam is sometimes the only way to detect problems such as blisters, cuts, and scrapes before they get infected and become open sores or ulcers.
A good policy is to perform a quick exam morning, night, and any time you remove your shoes. You should be looking for signs of pressure, redness, swelling, or broken skin anywhere, including your sole, toenail edges, and between toes. If you need some assistance, ask a loved one to help or use a small mirror to check every spot.
If you have diabetes but no obvious foot deformities or problems such as neuropathy or vascular disease, you should still get a professional exam annually. If you have symptoms, we’ll advise you how often you should come in.
Need to schedule a check-up? Have any concerns about your diabetic foot care? Contact Keith McSpadden, DPM today. You can book online, or set up an appointment at one of our two Austin-area offices by calling 512-593-2949.
