1.Inspect your feet daily for blisters, bleeding, or lesions between toes. Use a mirror to see the bottom of the foot and the heel.
2.Have a family or friend check your feet if you are unable to do so.
3.Have regular foot examinations by your diabetic foot care specialist.
4.Always remove both shoes and stockings when visiting your doctor.
5.Always wear well-fitted stockings or socks with your shoes. Padded hosiery may reduce pressure and be more protective.
6.Inspect the soles and inside your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on.
7.Shoes should be properly measured, comfortable, and easy to put on at the time of purchase.
8.Wear leather shoes with adequate room for the toes. Running or athletic shoes are best for recreational walking.
9.Change shoes every four to six hours.
10.In cold weather, wear insulated boots or heavier socks. Be sure the shoes allow enough room to allow for heavier socks.
11.Do NOT walk barefooted in the house, outside, or at the beach.
12.Do NOT use hot water bottles or heating pads to warm your feet. Use warm socks instead.
13.Do NOT soak your feet.
14.Do NOT use acids or chemical corn removers.
15.Do NOT perform "bathroom surgery" on corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails.
16.Wash feet daily and be sure to dry well between the toes. Apply moisturizing cream liberally, but avoid between the toes.
17.Test the temperature of the bath water with your ELBOW or THERMOMETER. Do NOT let hot water drip onto your toes.
18.Call your foot care specialist immediately if you detect a new lesion or if your foot becomes swollen, red, or painful. Stay off your foot until you see your doctor.
19.Learn all you can about your diabetes and how it can affect your feet.
20.Maintain good diabetes control and do not smoke.
San Antonio Shoes (SAS Shoes)
1770 SAS Drive
San Antonio, TX 78224
877-782-7463
Mephisto Shoes
1026 North Boulevard 60302
708-524-0321
Naturalizer Shoes
8300 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63015
888-829-6930
Rockport
1895 JW Foster Boulevard
Canton, MA 02021
800-672-5767
Ecco Shoes
16 Delta Drive
Londonderry, NH 03053
800-359-4399
Easy Spirit
Nine West Plaza
1129 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604
CLEAR’s Twenty Steps Toward Foot Health for People with Diabetes
Recommended Shoes & Socks for Persons with Diabetes
In response to the literally hundreds of requests we have yearly regarding shoes and socks for persons with diabetes, we provide the following information. We DO NOT advise anyone with diabetes to purchase shoes or socks without first consulting their physician or professional shoe fitter. Many over the counter shoes are not sized appropriately for persons at high risk for complications. However, the following is a partial list of shoes that we have found helpful for many of our patients who can fit into over the counter shoes and socks. Again, all patients with diabetes should consult a professional for advice before puchasing shoes. Improperly fitting shoes are a leading cause of diabetic foot ulceration.
Links to Diabetes Communities
CLEAR - SALSA is a collaborative research alliance dedicated to
advancing care of the diabetic foot and preventing amputations
in North America and worldwide.
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