Foot care
Diabetic Foot Check: What to Look For Each Day
A diabetic foot check is a short, regular look at both feet to catch sores, changes and new symptoms early. CDC lists home foot care and regular foot exams as part of living with nerve damage from diabetes. A foot sore that is infected or will not heal means a call to your doctor. A supplement does not replace the check.
Written by the Flow Nerves label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The basics
What is a diabetic foot check?
A diabetic foot check is a short look at the skin and feel of both feet, done on a regular schedule. Its job is to notice a problem early, before you would feel it.
Nerve damage can dull feeling. CDC says it usually starts in the feet (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage). The American Diabetes Association says untreated nerve damage can lead to infection and amputation of the affected area (ADA, Neuropathy and diabetes).
Our sources name foot care at home and regular foot exams but print no full list. Your care team can tell you what to add.
| What to look at | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Any sore, cut or blister | CDC says a foot sore that is infected or will not heal means a call to your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage). |
| Skin on the soles and between the toes | Places you cannot feel well are places you may not notice a change. |
| New numbness, tingling or burning | Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away for tingling, weakness or pain in the hands or feet (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy). |
Your routine
How do you do a foot check at home?
Pick one time each day, look at both feet in good light, and write down anything new. A habit works better than a perfect method.
Choose a moment you never skip. Check the top, the sole, the heel and between the toes. Use a mirror if you cannot see the bottom.
CDC says to keep notes on symptoms so you can share them with your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage). The note below turns your ticks into a short summary you can copy and bring to a visit.
A note-taking aid, not a test. CDC suggests keeping notes on symptoms to share with your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage), and Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away for tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
When to call
When should you call a doctor about your feet?
Call your doctor if you find a sore that is infected or will not heal, or if burning, tingling, weakness or pain disrupts your day or your sleep. CDC lists both (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Do not wait for your next scheduled visit.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, or sudden weakness or numbness on one side.
Supplements
Does a supplement replace a foot check?
No. A supplement does not replace a foot check, a foot exam or your diabetes medicine. NCCIH says that for most supplements there is no evidence of a beneficial effect on diabetes or its complications (NCCIH, Diabetes and supplements).
Flow Nerves is a capsule with six named ingredients and no printed milligrams. The label says only NERVE SUPPORT*. No study of it exists in our sources, so we make no claim about feet.
If you take diabetes medicine or insulin, ask your doctor or pharmacist before any supplement. Alpha lipoic acid can lower blood sugar (MSK, Alpha-lipoic acid), and low blood sugar needs fast attention (NIDDK, Low blood glucose). Keep taking prescribed medicine as directed.
FAQ
Flow Nerves questions people ask
How often should I check my feet if I have diabetes?
Our sources do not set a number of times. CDC lists home foot care and regular foot exams, and a daily look is a common habit. Ask your care team how often to check and how often to have a professional exam (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
What should I look for during a diabetic foot check?
Look for cuts, blisters, sores, and any change in the skin or in how your foot feels. A sore that is infected or will not heal needs a call to your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Why are the feet checked first?
CDC says nerve damage from diabetes usually starts in the feet. Dulled feeling can hide a small injury, so looking is a way to notice what you may not feel (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Can numb feet be a sign of something other than diabetes?
Yes. Mayo Clinic lists low B vitamins, alcohol, injury and some medicines among the causes. Seek care for new tingling, weakness or pain in your feet (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Can Flow Nerves take the place of a foot check?
No. Flow Nerves is a dietary supplement, not a medicine, and no study of it exists in our sources. Foot checks and exams are separate. Ask your doctor before starting any supplement if you have diabetes.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand panels and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a U.S. stocking partner for Flow Nerves. It is not the manufacturer or a distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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