Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines

Importance of Daily Foot Self-Examination

Diabetic patients should check their feet daily for any wounds, injuries, or abnormalities to prevent serious complications such as ulcers and amputations, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1, 2
Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy leading to loss of protective sensation (LOPS), making patients unaware of injuries to their feet, according to the American Diabetes Association 1
Early detection of foot problems can prevent progression to serious complications including ulceration and amputation, as stated by the American Diabetes Association 1

Diabetic patients should visually inspect all surfaces of both feet daily, including between the toes, using a mirror if necessary for areas difficult to see, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1
Patients should use palpation to check for abnormalities when visual inspection is not possible, according to the American Diabetes Association 2
Diabetic patients should look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, calluses, or any other abnormalities, as stated by the American Diabetes Association 3
Patients should check for skin temperature changes, which may indicate inflammation, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 3

All diabetic patients should have a comprehensive professional foot examination at least once per year, as recommended by the International Diabetes Federation and the American Diabetes Association 1, 4
Patients with high-risk factors (previous ulceration, amputation, foot deformities, LOPS, or peripheral arterial disease) should have more frequent professional examinations, according to the American Diabetes Association 1, 3
Individuals with evidence of sensory loss or prior ulceration/amputation should have their feet inspected at every healthcare visit, as stated by the American Diabetes Association 1

Patients should seek medical attention for foot problems, as recommended by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 5
Healthcare providers should ensure diabetic patients understand how to perform a thorough self-examination of their feet, as stated by the American Diabetes Association 1

Patients should seek immediate medical care if they notice new ulcers or wounds, as recommended by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 5
Patients should seek immediate medical care if they notice rapid changes in skin color, increased pain, redness, or swelling, as stated by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 5
Any foot problem that doesn't begin to heal within 24 hours requires immediate medical attention, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1