How to Check Your Own Feet If You Have Diabetes: A Step-by-Step Self-Exam Guide

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI. Last updated April 2026.

Why Daily Foot Exams Are Critical for Diabetics

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes, progressively reducing sensation in the feet until significant injuries can occur without any pain signal. A small blister, skin crack, or pressure sore that a person with normal sensation would immediately feel and address can go completely unnoticed in a neuropathic foot — growing silently into a deep ulcer, bone infection, or gangrenous wound that threatens the limb.

The statistics underscore the urgency: diabetes accounts for over 130,000 lower limb amputations annually in the United States, and 85% of these amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer that could have been detected and treated in its earliest stages. Research consistently demonstrates that diabetic patients who perform daily foot self-examinations have 50-70% fewer ulcerations and amputations than those who do not.

Dr. Tom Biernacki emphasizes to every diabetic patient at Balance Foot & Ankle that your daily foot exam is not optional — it is as essential to your health as taking your diabetes medication. The exam takes only 2-3 minutes and can literally save your leg. Making it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, performed at the same time each day, builds the habit that provides lifelong protection.

Step-by-Step Daily Foot Inspection

Perform your foot exam at the same time each day — most patients find the evening routine after removing shoes works best. Sit in a well-lit area with a hand mirror or long-handled mirror for viewing the soles. If your vision is limited, ask a family member or caregiver to assist. Remove shoes and socks completely and inspect every surface of both feet systematically.

Start with the tops of the feet: examine the skin between each toe (spread them apart), the nail beds, and the dorsal (top) surface for any redness, swelling, cuts, blisters, color changes, or signs of fungal infection. Next, use the mirror to examine the soles: check the heel, arch, ball of the foot, and each toe pad for calluses, cracks, blisters, discoloration, or any area that looks different from the surrounding skin.

Run your hands over both feet, feeling for temperature differences between areas (hot spots suggest inflammation or infection), lumps or bumps that weren’t present before, areas of unusual dryness or moisture, and any swelling. Compare both feet to each other — significant asymmetry in temperature, color, or swelling between feet is an important warning sign. Check inside your shoes for foreign objects, worn linings, or rough areas that could cause skin damage.

What to Look For: Warning Signs

Color changes are among the earliest visible indicators of developing problems. Red areas suggest pressure injury or early infection. White or pale areas indicate reduced blood flow. Purple or blue discoloration signals more severe vascular compromise. Dark or black areas represent tissue death (necrosis) requiring urgent evaluation. Any color change that persists after repositioning the foot should be reported to your podiatrist.

Skin integrity changes demand immediate attention: blisters (even small ones), cuts or scratches, cracks especially in the heels, peeling skin between toes (possible fungal infection), calluses that are thickening or developing discoloration, and any wound or opening in the skin no matter how small. In a neuropathic foot, the smallest skin break can become a portal for bacteria that cause rapidly spreading infection.

Temperature and swelling changes are particularly important. A foot that is significantly warmer than the other may indicate infection or the onset of Charcot neuroarthropathy — a serious bone and joint condition requiring immediate immobilization. New swelling in one foot or ankle, especially if accompanied by warmth, should be evaluated the same day. Don’t assume warmth and swelling are just ‘tired feet’ — in diabetic patients these findings can signal emergencies.

At-Home Sensation Testing

You can monitor your sensation at home using a simple monofilament test. The Semmes-Weinstein 10-gram monofilament is available inexpensively from medical supply retailers. To test, close your eyes and have someone press the monofilament firmly against the bottom of your foot at 10 standard locations — the great toe pad, third toe pad, fifth toe pad, and 7 points across the metatarsal heads and midfoot.

At each point, the monofilament should be pressed until it bends slightly, held for 1-2 seconds, then removed. You should respond ‘yes’ when you feel pressure. Inability to feel the monofilament at any test site indicates loss of protective sensation — a critical finding that means you cannot rely on pain to alert you to injuries. This finding elevates why we visual daily examinations and more frequent podiatric visits.

Record your monofilament testing results and bring them to your podiatric appointments. Progressive loss of sensation at previously intact sites indicates advancing neuropathy and may prompt Dr. Biernacki to adjust your foot care plan, increase visit frequency, or prescribe therapeutic footwear and diabetic insoles to reduce pressure at vulnerable sites.

Daily Foot Care Routine for Diabetics

Beyond inspection, daily foot care includes washing feet in lukewarm (never hot) water, testing temperature with your elbow since neuropathic feet cannot accurately sense heat. Dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes where trapped moisture promotes fungal infection and skin maceration. Apply moisturizing lotion to the tops, sides, and soles of feet to prevent drying and cracking — but never between the toes where moisture promotes fungal growth.

Proper footwear is an extension of daily foot care. Never walk barefoot, even indoors — the neuropathic foot cannot detect sharp objects, hot surfaces, or other hazards. Wear well-fitting shoes with adequate depth and width, and always shake out shoes and run your hand inside them before putting them on to detect foreign objects. PowerStep Pinnacle insoles or custom diabetic orthotics provide protective cushioning and pressure redistribution.

DASS Diabetic Ankle and Foot Compression Socks specifically designed for diabetic patients provide gentle compression to support circulation without the constriction of standard compression socks. Seamless interior construction eliminates friction points that could create blisters. Change socks daily and avoid socks with tight elastic bands that restrict blood flow. White or light-colored socks make it easier to notice blood or drainage from undetected wounds.

When to Call Your Podiatrist Immediately

Certain findings during your daily exam require same-day podiatric evaluation: any new wound, blister, or break in the skin; red streaking extending from a wound or reddened area; pus or drainage from any site; sudden color change (especially black areas); one foot significantly warmer or more swollen than the other; new numbness or tingling in an area that previously had sensation; fever or chills with any foot finding.

Even findings that seem minor deserve prompt attention rather than a ‘wait and see’ approach. A small blister that would heal in days on a healthy foot can progress to a deep ulcer requiring weeks of wound care in a diabetic foot. Early intervention — cleaning, proper dressing, offloading, and monitoring — prevents the escalation cascade that leads to hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and potential amputation.

Dr. Tom Biernacki maintains same-day and next-day availability for diabetic foot emergencies at Balance Foot & Ankle. The practice’s comprehensive diabetic foot program includes routine preventive visits (every 2-3 months for neuropathic patients), vascular assessment, custom therapeutic footwear and orthotics, wound care when needed, and coordination with your endocrinologist and primary care provider to optimize overall diabetes management.

The Most Common Mistake We See

The most common mistake diabetic patients make is assuming that no pain means no problem. Peripheral neuropathy eliminates the pain warning system that healthy feet rely on to detect injuries. By the time a neuropathic foot ulcer becomes painful, infection has often progressed to involve bone or deep tissues. Your eyes must replace your nerves as the primary detection system — which is exactly why daily visual inspection is irreplaceable.

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In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

Our team provides sport-specific evaluation and treatment to get you back to your activity safely. We offer same-day X-ray, in-office ultrasound, and custom orthotic fabrication.

Book online 24/7. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should diabetics check their feet?

Daily — once every day without exception. Perform a complete visual and tactile examination of both feet, checking all surfaces including between toes and the soles using a mirror. The exam takes only 2-3 minutes and is the most effective way to prevent serious diabetic foot complications.

What should a diabetic foot exam include?

A thorough exam checks for color changes, temperature differences between feet, skin breaks, blisters, cuts, calluses, swelling, dry or cracking skin, fungal infections between toes, toenail changes, and any area that looks or feels different from normal. Also check inside shoes for foreign objects.

Can I cut my own toenails with diabetes?

If you have normal sensation and good vision, you can trim nails straight across with proper toenail clippers. If you have neuropathy, poor vision, thick nails, or poor circulation, have your podiatrist trim your nails — Medicare covers diabetic foot care visits for qualifying patients.

How often should diabetics see a podiatrist?

Diabetic patients without neuropathy should see a podiatrist at least annually. Those with neuropathy or vascular disease should visit every 2-3 months. Patients with prior ulcers, amputations, or active foot problems may need monthly visits. Your podiatrist determines the appropriate schedule.

The Bottom Line

Your daily foot exam is your first and most important line of defense against diabetic foot complications. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki and his team provide comprehensive diabetic foot care including preventive examinations, neuropathy screening, therapeutic footwear, and urgent wound care when needed.

Sources

1. Diabetes Care (2025) — Guidelines for diabetic foot examination and ulcer prevention
2. Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2024) — Self-examination effectiveness in reducing diabetic amputations
3. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (2024) — At-home monofilament testing protocols
4. Diabetic Foot & Ankle (2024) — Neuropathic foot temperature monitoring for early ulcer detection

Diabetic Foot Care at Balance Foot & Ankle

Daily foot inspections are essential for people with diabetes to catch problems early. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle provide comprehensive diabetic foot exams and preventive care at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices.

Learn About Our Diabetic Foot Care | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Boulton AJ, et al. “Comprehensive foot examination and risk assessment.” Diabetes Care. 2008;31(8):1679-1685.
2. Singh N, et al. “Preventing foot ulcers in patients with diabetes.” JAMA. 2005;293(2):217-228.
3. Bus SA, et al. “IWGDF guidance on the prevention of foot ulcers in at-risk patients with diabetes.” Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2016;32(Suppl 1):16-24.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your diabetic foot conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with expert evaluations and advanced in-office care.

More questions patients ask

Why do diabetics have foot problems?

Diabetes causes peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage reducing sensation), peripheral artery disease (reduced blood flow), and impaired immune function. This combination means injuries go unnoticed, heal slowly, and are prone to infection. Approximately 15% of diabetics will develop a foot ulcer, and diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation. Prevention through regular podiatric care is essential.

What are the signs of diabetic neuropathy in feet?

Early signs include tingling, burning, or numbness starting in the toes and progressing upward. Other symptoms include sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, balance problems, and loss of reflexes. If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Biernacki at 810-206-1402 for nerve conduction testing and a comprehensive neuropathy management plan.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.