DFU Manual - Episode 3 - 10 Commandments

Episode 3 of the DFU Manual lays out ten daily commandments that protect the feet of every person with diabetes. Because sensation fades gradually, a wound, burn, or nick can go unnoticed until it becomes limb-threatening. The ten rules collapse into four habits: protect, care for skin, check daily, and get professional care.

Protect from injury

• Never walk barefoot — not at home, not on the beach, never
• Keep feet away from heat sources like hot water bottles and heaters
• Wash with lukewarm water and dry carefully, especially between the toes
• Wear seamless shoes shaped to the patient's foot type

Care for skin and nails

• Wear white socks without tight elastic so blood from an injury shows early
• Moisturize daily — but never between the toes
• Never apply alcohol, iodine, or peroxide to a wound; they damage the tissue you're trying to save
• Visit a podiatrist monthly for nail care — self-trimming is how small mistakes become ulcers

Check every day, and see the doctor

Inspect feet daily with a mirror, or ask a family member to help. Catching a wound early can prevent amputation. Patients should also see their physician three times a year for a full foot exam — not just a medication check.

For clinicians, reinforcing this daily-check routine is one of the highest-impact interventions in diabetic foot care. Pair patient education with image-anchored baselines and AI-powered wound imaging to catch changes between visits before they escalate.

Next episode: managing blood sugar — the foundation that makes every other habit work. Original content by Lianza Para El Salvataje in Peru, brought to you by Pingoo, your AI health companion.