Individual 1 hour appointments with a foot care provider:

• Kevin Walsh, PA (CAIR or MNAW) ○ Mag Reynolds, FNP (MNAW)
• Carol Woullett, RN (CAIR)
• Lois Larson, LPN (Thursdays afternoons MNAW)
• Chris Davis, RN (Thursdays afternoons MNAW)

The Public Health Nursing Department offers foot clinic at both MNAW and CAIR for people with diabetes, elders, or others that need assistance with nail trimming. Guest speakers present on a variety of topics and snacks are served.

• CAIR Foot Clinic is available the 3rd Friday of each month from 9-11:30 in the Community Room. Transportation can be arranged by contacting Shirley Reynolds at 726-1370. Contact Mike Jenkins at 726-1370 with questions.
• MNAW Foot Clinic is available the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9-11:00 in the McKnight Room. Transportation can be arranged by contacting Tracie Little at 878-2128. Contact Amy Zacher at 879-1227 with questions.

Importance of Foot Care

Some people with diabetes have little or no feeling in their feet. They can injure or burn their feet without noticing it. Two of the most important things you can do is to get into the habit of looking at your feet each day and seek prompt treatment for problems or changes.

Prevention of Foot Problems

• Wear shoes and socks that fit. Poorly fitting shoes are the most common cause of foot trauma. Buy shoes that have room for your toes to wiggle. Avoid shoes that are too tight. Try on both shoes and buy for the bigger foot.
• Break in new shoes slowly by wearing them for 1-2 hours a day at first.
  Shoes and socks made of natural fibers are recommended because they allow feet to breathe.
• Change your shoes at least once during the day.
• When taking shoes off, look for areas of redness. These are most often caused by improper fit.
• Shake out or feel inside your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on.
• Avoid heating pads, hot water bottles, and microwavable warmers. These can cause burns.
• Avoid going barefoot indoors and outdoors.
• Wear wool socks to keep feet warm and waterproof shoes or boots for outdoor winter activities.
• When wearing sandals, put sunscreen on the tops of feet.
• Take your shoes off when you see your provider as a reminder to check your feet.
• Ask your provider for a monofilament test yearly.

Daily Care of Feet

• Wash daily with mild soap and warm water and dry completely.
  Look at tops and bottoms of your feet for fissures, cracks, calluses, red spots, cuts, bruises, etc. Treat appropriately.
• If skin is dry, use lanolin-based lotion to keep feet soft. If feet sweat a lot, use powder.
• Corns and calluses may be related to shoe fit. Remove calluses by gently rubbing with an emery board or pumice stone. Work on callused areas over time.
• Treat corns or bunions by padding. Do not use caustic corn removers or sharp instruments.
• Trim toenails to follow the curve of your toe and be even with the end of the toe. Nails are softer and easier to cut after a bath.
• If toes overlap, sheepskin or cotton placed between can prevent blisters.

Other Foot Care

• Treat small cuts by washing, rinsing well, drying, and covering with sterile dressing held in place with nonallergenic tape.
• If cuts do not show signs of healing within 2 days, contact your provider.
• See a foot care specialist for continuing care of foot problems.