- Maintain blood glucose within the target range.
- It is advisable that children over the age of 12 years get their feet checked on an annual basis
- Get into the habit of checking the feet daily – look for:
- Cuts and blisters
- Any signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain)
- If small cuts of blisters seem to be taking a long time to heal, seek advice from your GP, nurse or podiatrist
- Make sure that shoes fit well, and don’t squeeze of rub the feet
- Don’t be tempted to cut down the sides of you toenails where you can’t see what you are doing – if you think you have problems with your nails either visit your GP or a podiatrist
- Areas of hard skin can be dealt with using a pumice stone to file it down or by seeking an appointment with a podiatrist. Don’t be tempted to use a blade.
Foot awareness
People with diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing problems with their feet because of the damage that raised blood sugar can cause to sensation (nerve damage) and circulation (blood flow). The good news is that such problems are rare in children and young people, and with good control of diabetes, some really simple checks and by developing good habits early, foot problems associated with diabetes can be avoided.
Verrucas
Verrucas are extremely common in the general population. Sometimes they are called plantar warts or spelled verrucae. Either way, they are warts that develop on the soles (or bottom) of the feet. The pressure from normal standing and walking tends to force the warts into the skin, and this can make the warts painful. However they are not always painful and in such cases verrucas do not require treatment. However, if you are concerned, or they become painful, it is advisable to seek advice from your GP, nurse, or podiatrist.
Verrucas on the sole of the foot
