Believe it or not, there’s a lot more to good diabetic care than healthy eating and maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Regular foot checks are an increasingly essential part of diabetes management as nerve damage and reduced circulation caused by diabetes can lead to a reduced awareness of pain (neuropathy) and slower healing of the foot, which increases the risk of infection and foot ulcers.

Foot problems are one of the most common complications associated with diabetes and it’s important to check your feet daily for signs of damage in order to avoid future problems. In severe cases, poor foot care may lead to amputation of a foot or leg. In fact, even something as minimal as a blister or a sore could lead to an infection or a non-healing wound.

While there are many preventative measures that diabetics can be taken reduce the risk of a foot infection, Dr. Goldbaum insists that his patients not only check their feet twice a day — once in the morning and again at night — but also moisturize their feet daily to combat dryness.

Your own foot checks should be carried out in addition to the foot examinations you should receive throughout the year from a podiatrist such as Dr. Goldbaum.