7 Daily Foot Care Habits Every Diabetic in Surat Must Follow – Dr. Ashutosh Shah

7 Daily Foot Care Habits

If you have diabetes, your feet need daily attention not just when something goes wrong, but every single day. The problem? Most people with diabetes do not feel pain in their feet due to nerve damage (neuropathy). So a small cut, blister, or pressure sore can quietly become a serious wound before you even notice it.

At Elegance Diabetic Foot & Ulcer Clinic (EDFC) in Surat, Dr. Ashutosh Shah sees hundreds of patients each year and most of the serious cases he treats could have been prevented with one simple thing: a consistent daily foot care routine.

Here are the 7 daily habits every diabetic person in Surat must follow, straight from Dr. Shah’s clinical experience.

Habit 1: Inspect Your Feet Every Morning and Evening

Look at every part of your foot top, bottom, between toes, and around the heel. Use a mirror or ask a family member to help if you cannot bend easily.

What to look for:

  • Any new cut, blister, crack, or sore
  • Redness or swelling around any area
  • Skin that has changed colour – pale, dark, or bluish
  • Ingrown toenails or fungal infection between toes

Do not wait for pain to alert you. With diabetic neuropathy, pain is often absent. If you see anything unusual, contact EDFC immediately, do not apply home remedies first.

Habit 2: Wash Your Feet with Lukewarm Water Daily

Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water (not hot, you may not feel how hot the water actually is). Use a mild soap and gently clean between all toes.

Important: Always dry your feet completely after washing, especially between the toes. Moisture between toes creates the perfect environment for fungal infections, which can rapidly worsen in a diabetic foot.

Do not soak your feet in hot water for long periods, this dries out the skin and can cause cracking. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) specifically cautions against long soaks.

Habit 3: Moisturise But Never Between Toes

After drying your feet, apply a good moisturiser to the top and bottom of each foot. Dry, cracked skin, especially at the heel, can break open and allow bacteria to enter.

Do not apply moisturiser between the toes. This traps moisture and increases the risk of fungal growth. Use a simple, fragrance-free lotion or one specifically designed for diabetic skin.

Habit 4: Trim Toenails Carefully and Straight Across

Cut your toenails straight across, never curved at the corners. Curved cutting causes ingrown toenails, which in a diabetic foot can quickly develop into a serious infected wound.

Use a proper nail clipper and a nail file to smooth sharp edges. If you have difficulty seeing or reaching your feet, or if your nails are thick, visit a podiatrist or our clinic for safe nail care. Do not cut calluses or hard skin yourself.

We offer nail and callus care as part of our non-surgical foot management services at EDFC Surat.

Habit 5: Wear Proper Diabetic Footwear, Always

Never walk barefoot not even inside your home. One small stone, a tile edge, or an ant bite can cause a wound you do not feel. In Surat’s warm climate, people frequently walk barefoot at home or in sandals outdoors, this is one of the most common causes of preventable diabetic foot wounds.

Wear well-fitting, cushioned shoes that give your toes room to move. Avoid tight shoes, high heels, or pointed-toe footwear. Check inside your shoes before putting them on a small pebble or fold in the lining can create pressure sores.

Ask Dr. Shah’s team about custom diabetic footwear and insoles designed to reduce pressure and protect vulnerable areas of the foot.

Habit 6: Keep Your Blood Sugar Under Control Every Day

High blood sugar is the root cause of diabetic foot problems. It damages blood vessels and nerves, slows down wound healing, and weakens the body’s ability to fight infection. No foot care routine in the world can compensate for uncontrolled blood sugar.

Work with your diabetologist to keep your HbA1c within the recommended range. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), keeping blood sugar near normal levels dramatically reduces the risk of complications including diabetic foot ulcers.

At EDFC, Dr. Shah works alongside your diabetes care team to ensure your foot healing is supported by optimal blood sugar management.

Habit 7: Never Ignore a Wound, Even a Tiny One

This is perhaps the most important habit. If you notice any cut, sore, blister, or swelling on your foot, no matter how small it looks, do not dismiss it. Do not use home remedies like turmeric paste, bandaging with cloth, or antiseptic liquids and wait for weeks.

Show it to a specialist within 24-48 hours. What looks like a small scratch on a diabetic foot can become a deep ulcer within days if the blood supply to that area is already compromised.

Dr. Ashutosh Shah’s rule: If a wound has not shown any improvement in 48 hours, you need clinical attention — not another home dressing.

Book an urgent appointment at EDFC Surat if you spot any foot wound, change in skin colour, or persistent swelling. Early care saves feet.

A Quick Daily Foot Care Checklist for Diabetics in Surat

  • Inspect both feet (morning and evening)
  • Wash with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly
  • Apply moisturiser- not between toes
  • Wear clean cotton socks and proper shoes
  • Check inside shoes before wearing
  • Take diabetes medications on time
  • Report any new wound, sore, or skin change within 24 hours

When to Visit Dr. Ashutosh Shah at EDFC Surat

You should book an appointment at Elegance Diabetic Foot & Ulcer Clinic in Surat if:

  • Any wound or sore has not healed in 2 weeks
  • You see redness, pus, or a foul smell
  • A toe or part of the foot has become dark or blackened
  • You have numbness, tingling, or burning in your feet
  • You have had a diabetic foot ulcer before

Meet Dr. Ashutosh Shah, explore our diabetic foot conditions page, or contact us today– call +91 88490 66499.

Follow Dr. Ashutosh Shah for Daily Foot Care Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a diabetic person check their feet?

Every day, ideally morning and evening. Because diabetes causes nerve damage (neuropathy), you may not feel pain from cuts or sores. Daily inspection is the only reliable way to catch problems before they become serious.

Is it safe for a diabetic person to cut their own toenails?

Yes, if done carefully. Cut straight across (never curved), use proper clippers, and smooth edges with a file. If your nails are thick, you have poor vision, or you cannot reach your feet, visit a specialist. EDFC Surat offers safe nail care as part of non-surgical foot management.

Can I walk barefoot at home if I have diabetes?

No. Walking barefoot, even at home is dangerous for diabetics. One small injury you do not feel can lead to a serious wound. Always wear clean, well-fitting indoor slippers or diabetic footwear at home.

What moisturiser should a diabetic use on their feet?

Use a simple, fragrance-free moisturiser or one formulated for diabetic skin. Apply it to the top and bottom of each foot after washing and drying. Never apply between the toes, excess moisture there encourages fungal infections.

Where can I get expert diabetic foot care advice in Surat?

Visit Elegance Diabetic Foot & Ulcer Clinic (EDFC) in Surat, led by Dr. Ashutosh Shah. The clinic specialises exclusively in diabetic foot care and limb salvage. Call +91 88490 66499 or book at elegancediabeticfoot.com/contact-us.