Foot Care

If you have diabetes, it is very important to take good care of your feet. High blood glucose levels over time can affect your nerves and your circulation which can result in foot problems. People living with diabetes are less likely to feel a foot injury, such as a blister or cut. High blood glucose levels can also make these injuries more difficult to heal and more prone to becoming infected. 

Prevention is possible. Check your feet care daily and read below to learn more about how to keep your feet healthy.

Click here for Diabetes Canada footcare information. 

Top Foot Care Tips

1.  Inspect your feet daily, especially between your toes.  Look for any cuts, cracks in your skin, ingrown toenails, blisters, discoloured or infected areas, callouses, corns or warts. If you are unable to see the bottom of your feet, consider using a hand mirror to visuallly inspect your feet or ask a friend or family member to help.

2. If you find a corn, calllus, wart, sliver, in-grown toenail, blister or open wound - Do not treat it yourself.  Book an appoitnment with your primary care provider or a footcare professional.

3.  Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water using a mild soap.  

4.  Dry your feet well after washing, especially between your toes. 

5.  Apply a mositurizing lotion to your feet to prevent dry skin.  Do not put lotion between your toes, as this is an ideal location for fungus or infections. 

6.  Clean any minor cuts or scratches with mild soap and water and cover with a dry dressing to your foot or legs. 

7.  Wear clean white socks made of breathable materials (ie. cotton) that are not too tight around your legs. Wearing white socks can help to identify if you have an open area on your foot that is bleeding or drainng, you will be able to see the discolouration.

8.  Trim your toenails straight across and file any sharp edges, ensuring not to trim the nails too short.  This will help prevent ingrown toenails.

9.  Buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are the biggest.  Feet often swell during the day. Shoes should be supportive, with no or low heels and should not rub or pinch your feet.

10.  Wear shoes at all times to prevent injuries to your feet. 

11.  Wear socks at night if your feet feel cold.  

12. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles for a few minutes, several times per day to help improve circulation. If safe to do so, try to exercise regularly. 

Things to Avoid

• Do not soak your feet 
• Do not use over the counter medications to treat corns and warts.  Let a footcare professional assess your foot issue and treat
• Do not wear tight shoes or socks
• Do not walk barefoot
• Do not use hot water bottles or heating pads as the temperature may be to hot and if you have nerve damage, you may not be able to feel if it is burning your skin.
• Do not cross your legs
• Do not smoke as this decreases circulation, healing and increases the risk of serious foot problems
• Do not wear over-the-counter insoles

When to see your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

• If you have any signs of infection (swelling, pain, redness, drainage, feet feel hot to the touch).
• If you have corns, callouses, warts or in-grown toenails.
• If you have swelling, warmth, redness or pain in your legs or feet.
• If you have pain, numbness, tingling or burning in your feet.
• If you have any discoloured areas on your feet.
• For a foot sensation test at least once a year. 

Foot Care Providers

There are many types of foot care providers available.  Below is a description of the services each type commonly provides.  This may help to determine which type of foot care provider would be best to book an appointment with, depending on your foot care needs. It is recommended that people living with diabetes receive foot care treatment from a trained health care professional versus a day spa setting.  

1. Foot Care Nurse - a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with specialized training in advanced lower limb and foot care treatment.  They complete an assessment of your feet and lower legs, provide treatment (nail trimming, corns, ingrown nails), and education on how to care for your feet and prevent complications.
2. Orthotist/Pedorthist - trained healthcare professional who specializes in the clinical assessment of the lower limbs to determine the need for orthotics, braces or other supports . They custom design, fabricate, fit and repair orthotics/braces.
3. Chiropodist - trained healthcare professional specializing in the assessment, treatment and prevention of foot and ankle conditions.  They provide skin/nail care, callus/corn management, custom orthotics, pain management, wound care and minor in-office surgeries.

For More Information

Consult your primary care provider, diabetes education team, or contact a foot care provider.

The following chart identifies local foot care providers. If there are any edits required for this list, please contact us at [email protected] (Date of last full edit: February 2026)