What Should You Look for During a Monthly Foot Check?
Check for new bumps or lumps, changes in skin color, cuts or cracks, and any new pain, swelling, or change in the shape of your foot. Five minutes once a month is usually enough to notice a change while it is still small.
Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney recommends this habit for anyone, and considers it essential for patients with diabetes.
Why Early Detection Matters So Much With Feet
Feet are easy to overlook. They spend the day inside shoes, and many people never look at the soles closely.
Small problems that go unnoticed have time to become larger ones. Catching a change early usually means simpler treatment and less disruption.
The Five Minute Check, Step by Step
Do this in good light, sitting down, with a hand mirror if you cannot easily see the bottoms of your feet.
- Look over the tops, soles, and sides for new bumps or discoloration
- Check between the toes for cracks, peeling, or moisture
- Inspect your nails for thickening, color change, or ingrown edges
- Press gently along the foot to identify any new tender spots
Compare one foot to the other. Differences between them are often the first thing you notice.
Why This Is Non-Negotiable With Diabetes
Reduced sensation can mean an injury goes unfelt. A small cut or blister can progress without producing the pain that would normally prompt action.
For that reason, diabetic foot care guidance generally calls for a daily check rather than a monthly one. Any new sore, redness, or open area should be reported promptly.
Do Not Forget Your Shoes
Your shoes are part of the check. Worn tread, compressed cushioning, and a heel counter that has collapsed all change how your foot is supported.
Uneven wear patterns can also point to how you are loading the foot, which is useful information for your podiatrist.
When to Bring a Change In
Not every finding needs an appointment, but some warrant one sooner rather than later.
- An open sore, or any wound that is not healing
- A new lump, or an existing one that is changing
- Persistent numbness, tingling, or burning
- A visible change in foot shape or arch height
Routine foot preventative care visits complement self-checks, since some changes are easier for a trained eye to catch. Our practice treats a wide range of foot conditions.
What Our Podiatrists Recommend
"Pick a date and tie it to something you already do, like paying a bill," says Dr. Martin Sloan. "The people who actually keep up with this are the ones who attached it to a habit instead of relying on remembering."
Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Self-Checks
How often should I check my feet?
Monthly is a reasonable baseline for most people. Anyone with diabetes, neuropathy, or circulation concerns should check daily. Your podiatrist can tell you what frequency fits your situation.
What if I cannot see the bottoms of my feet?
Use a hand mirror placed on the floor, or ask a family member to help. Some people photograph the soles with a phone. The method matters less than doing it consistently.
Is a callus something to worry about?
Calluses are common and often harmless, though they indicate an area of repeated pressure. A callus that becomes painful, darkens, or develops an opening should be evaluated. Do not attempt to cut one off at home.
Bring a Change to Our Attention
Our podiatrists see patients across Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and nearby Plano, Texas.
Schedule a visit or call 972-712-7773 if something on your foot has changed.