People with diabetes should take very good care of their feet and keep them as injury-free as possible to prevent what is known as diabetic foot, warned the Association of German Internists (BDI).
The various foot problems associated with diabetic foot are due to nerve and blood-vessel damage leading to a loss of feeling and poor blood flow in the feet.
To keep feet free of injury and fungal infections, diabetics should avoid going barefoot and wash their feet daily in warm, soapy water. They should not soak their feet longer than three minutes, however, because germs can penetrate the skin more easily if it becomes too soft, noted BDI member Thorsten Siegmund.
After washing, the feet should be dried well and rubbed with lotion or cream. Corns and calluses should be rubbed with a greasy cream to keep the skin from cracking.
