Doing a diabetic foot self-exam is not difficult, but you do need to devote a little time to it. Start by choosing a time that will work every day—like after your shower or before bed. Sit down and lift one foot across the other knee. Then use your eyes and your hands to check for any irregularities in your feet.
Thoroughly check bottoms, tops, and between the toes. What you are looking/feeling for is scratches, cuts, bruises, blisters, dry patches or cracked skin, lumps or bumps, bruising, or discolored, thick, or ingrown nails—anything that seems out of the ordinary. Also check for redness and warmth, as this could indicate inflammation or some sort of infection. Squeeze the fleshy end of your toe. If the color doesn’t come back in a few seconds, you may have a circulation problem. Cold and blue or white skin tones could indicate this as well.
If you find anything unusual (daily exams make differences easy to spot), contact Dr. Jyotsna Thapar at Ankle and Foot Specialist of New Jersey. Call 908-222-8980 to schedule an appointment at our South Plainfield/Edison, NJ office and have your foot checked. It is the best way to get treatment fast and head off possible serious consequences for your feet.
