Diabetic Foot Self-Check: 5 Areas People Often Miss- Dr Uday Ravi
Check Today. Protect Your Feet Every Day - Dr Uday Ravi
For people living with diabetes, regular foot checks are an important part of everyday foot care. Some foot problems may begin in areas that are easy to overlook during a quick inspection.
A simple self-check can help you notice changes such as redness, cuts, blisters, swelling, or skin changes. If you notice a concerning or persistent change, professional assessment may be appropriate.
Are You Checking All Areas of Your Feet?
When checking your feet, don't just look at the top. Make sure you examine the areas that are often missed.
1. Between the Toes
The spaces between the toes can be difficult to see and may be overlooked.
✓ Check for redness
✓ Look for cracks or broken skin
✓ Notice unusual moisture or skin changes
✓ Check for signs of irritation
Gently separate the toes during your foot check so you can see the skin clearly.
2. The Soles of the Feet
The soles can be difficult to inspect directly, particularly without assistance or a mirror.
✓ Look for cuts or blisters
✓ Check for calluses or areas of thickened skin
✓ Look for unusual redness or skin changes
✓ Pay attention to areas exposed to repeated pressure
A hand mirror can help you examine the sole of your foot.
3. The Heels
Heel skin can become dry and cracked, and small changes may be missed during a quick check.
✓ Look for cracks
✓ Check for dry or broken skin
✓ Look for redness or irritation
✓ Check for any wound or unusual change
Keeping an eye on the heels is especially useful when checking the entire foot.
4. Around the Toenails
Toenails and the surrounding skin also deserve attention.
✓ Check for changes in nail colour
✓ Look for unusual thickening
✓ Check for signs of irritation around the nail
✓ Look for cuts or other skin changes
Avoid attempting to treat persistent nail problems yourself without appropriate professional advice.
5. The Top and Sides of the Feet
The top and sides are usually easier to see, but they can still develop areas of pressure or irritation.
✓ Look for redness
✓ Check for swelling
✓ Notice new bumps or pressure areas
✓ Check for rubbing from footwear
Comparing both feet can help you notice changes that may otherwise be overlooked.
What Should You Look For During a Foot Check?
A regular self-check can include looking for:
✓ Cuts or wounds
✓ Blisters
✓ Redness
✓ Swelling
✓ Cracks
✓ Changes in skin colour or texture
✓ Areas of pressure or rubbing
✓ Changes in the shape of the foot
✓ Changes around the toenails
Why Regular Foot Checks Matter
Diabetes can be associated with changes in foot sensation and other factors that may increase the risk of foot problems. Some people may not notice a minor injury immediately.
Making foot inspection part of your routine can help you become more familiar with how your feet normally look.
When Should You Seek Professional Assessment?
Consider contacting a healthcare professional if you notice:
✓ A new wound or ulcer
✓ Persistent redness or swelling
✓ A change in foot shape
✓ Increasing warmth or other concerning changes
✓ A wound that is not improving
✓ A significant change in sensation
Don't rely only on home care when a foot problem is persistent or concerning.
Simple Diabetic Foot Self-Check Routine
LOOK → CHECK → COMPARE → ACT
✓ LOOK: Examine both feet carefully.
✓ CHECK: Look between the toes, under the feet, around the heels and nails, and over the top and sides.
✓ COMPARE: Notice any differences between your two feet.
✓ ACT: Seek professional advice if you notice a concerning or persistent change.
Conclusion
A few minutes of regular foot checking can help you stay aware of changes in your feet.
Are you checking between your toes, the soles, heels, nails, and the top and sides of your feet?
Make regular foot checks part of your diabetes foot-care routine, and seek professional assessment when you notice a concerning change.
Happy Diabetic Foot & Podiatry Center
Dr. Uday Ravi – MBBS, MS
General & Laparoscopic Surgeon & Proctologist
20+ Years of Experience
📍Indiranagar / Rajajinagar, Bangalore
📞 96865 36467
🌐 https://happydiabeticfoot.com/
A simple self-check can help you notice changes such as redness, cuts, blisters, swelling, or skin changes. If you notice a concerning or persistent change, professional assessment may be appropriate.
Are You Checking All Areas of Your Feet?
When checking your feet, don't just look at the top. Make sure you examine the areas that are often missed.
1. Between the Toes
The spaces between the toes can be difficult to see and may be overlooked.
✓ Check for redness
✓ Look for cracks or broken skin
✓ Notice unusual moisture or skin changes
✓ Check for signs of irritation
Gently separate the toes during your foot check so you can see the skin clearly.
2. The Soles of the Feet
The soles can be difficult to inspect directly, particularly without assistance or a mirror.
✓ Look for cuts or blisters
✓ Check for calluses or areas of thickened skin
✓ Look for unusual redness or skin changes
✓ Pay attention to areas exposed to repeated pressure
A hand mirror can help you examine the sole of your foot.
3. The Heels
Heel skin can become dry and cracked, and small changes may be missed during a quick check.
✓ Look for cracks
✓ Check for dry or broken skin
✓ Look for redness or irritation
✓ Check for any wound or unusual change
Keeping an eye on the heels is especially useful when checking the entire foot.
4. Around the Toenails
Toenails and the surrounding skin also deserve attention.
✓ Check for changes in nail colour
✓ Look for unusual thickening
✓ Check for signs of irritation around the nail
✓ Look for cuts or other skin changes
Avoid attempting to treat persistent nail problems yourself without appropriate professional advice.
5. The Top and Sides of the Feet
The top and sides are usually easier to see, but they can still develop areas of pressure or irritation.
✓ Look for redness
✓ Check for swelling
✓ Notice new bumps or pressure areas
✓ Check for rubbing from footwear
Comparing both feet can help you notice changes that may otherwise be overlooked.
What Should You Look For During a Foot Check?
A regular self-check can include looking for:
✓ Cuts or wounds
✓ Blisters
✓ Redness
✓ Swelling
✓ Cracks
✓ Changes in skin colour or texture
✓ Areas of pressure or rubbing
✓ Changes in the shape of the foot
✓ Changes around the toenails
Why Regular Foot Checks Matter
Diabetes can be associated with changes in foot sensation and other factors that may increase the risk of foot problems. Some people may not notice a minor injury immediately.
Making foot inspection part of your routine can help you become more familiar with how your feet normally look.
When Should You Seek Professional Assessment?
Consider contacting a healthcare professional if you notice:
✓ A new wound or ulcer
✓ Persistent redness or swelling
✓ A change in foot shape
✓ Increasing warmth or other concerning changes
✓ A wound that is not improving
✓ A significant change in sensation
Don't rely only on home care when a foot problem is persistent or concerning.
Simple Diabetic Foot Self-Check Routine
LOOK → CHECK → COMPARE → ACT
✓ LOOK: Examine both feet carefully.
✓ CHECK: Look between the toes, under the feet, around the heels and nails, and over the top and sides.
✓ COMPARE: Notice any differences between your two feet.
✓ ACT: Seek professional advice if you notice a concerning or persistent change.
Conclusion
A few minutes of regular foot checking can help you stay aware of changes in your feet.
Are you checking between your toes, the soles, heels, nails, and the top and sides of your feet?
Make regular foot checks part of your diabetes foot-care routine, and seek professional assessment when you notice a concerning change.
Happy Diabetic Foot & Podiatry Center
Dr. Uday Ravi – MBBS, MS
General & Laparoscopic Surgeon & Proctologist
20+ Years of Experience
📍Indiranagar / Rajajinagar, Bangalore
📞 96865 36467
🌐 https://happydiabeticfoot.com/
Check Today. Protect Your Feet Every Day
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