At Joseph Stuto, DPM, our experts advise our diabetic patients to exercise extra caution as winter elements such as closed shoes, wet surfaces, chill air, dry skin, damp socks and the like, are all hazardous for the health of their feet. 

Here a few tips that will help you make it through the winters:

• Examine your feet daily: You should thoroughly inspect your feet and watch out for any changes in the color and texture of your skin and toenails. Due to restricted blood flow, calluses or corns may go unnoticed by patients with diabetes. Visit your podiatrist immediately if you observe anything unusual.

• Keep your feet dry: Walking along snowy streets could result in wet socks and damp shoes. Make sure you change your footwear as soon as you return indoors and dry your feet properly.

• Moisturizing is crucial: Heaters tend to make the skin dry and flaky. If your feet are not well moisturized, your skin may start cracking. The condition could worsen as those cracks turn into wounds and fall prey to infections.

• Wear comfortable shoes: Diabetic patients need to be extra careful about their footwear as their feet require greater support and padding to avoid ulcers and sores caused due to excessive pressure.

• Manage your blood sugar level: Diet plays an important role in controlling your glucose levels. Make sure you follow your diet plan and don’t miss any medication that you are taking to maintain your sugar levels.

• Visit your foot doctor regularly to ensure that your feet are healthy and not developing any painful conditions. One cannot emphasize the importance of these visits enough.

If you have any queries about diabetic foot health or would like more information, schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph Stuto by contacting our offices in Brooklyn Heights (718) 624-7537 and Brooklyn (718) 567-1403.