How to Perform a Daily Diabetic Foot Self-Exam (Step-by-Step)
diabeteseducation
A step-by-step routine patients can follow in under two minutes to catch diabetic foot wounds before they become limb-threatening.
Daily foot inspection is the single highest-yield habit for anyone living with diabetes. Loss of protective sensation means a blister, cut, or pressure sore can go unnoticed for days. This walkthrough shows patients and caregivers exactly how to run a two-minute exam every night.
What you need
- A well-lit room
- A handheld mirror (or a phone camera)
- A family member or caregiver if bending or vision is limited
- Clean, dry hands
The step-by-step routine
- Sit down and remove socks and shoes. Examine socks for blood, drainage, or debris before setting them aside.
- Look at the top of each foot. Note redness, swelling, or new calluses.
- Turn the foot and inspect the sole. Use the mirror to see the heel and ball of the foot.
- Check between every toe. Moisture, maceration, or fissures here are the most commonly missed findings.
- Feel for temperature differences. A hot spot compared to the opposite foot can signal early inflammation or a Charcot event.
- Inspect the nails. Look for ingrown edges, discoloration, or lifting.
- Photograph anything new. A dated phone photo becomes the baseline you show your clinician.
When to call the clinician
Call within 24 hours for any open area, drainage, new dark spot, or unexplained swelling. Do not wait for the next scheduled visit.
How clinicians can reinforce the habit
Providers delivering diabetic foot care can hand patients a printable version of this checklist at every visit and pair it with image-anchored baselines captured during the exam. See how AI-powered wound imaging turns a phone photo into a measurable, trackable record.