Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetic Foot Care Close to Home
For people with diabetes, even a small foot problem can become serious. A blister, callus, sore, thick toenail, or minor cut may be harder to feel and slower to heal when diabetes affects the nerves and blood vessels in the feet.
At Steele Memorial Wound Care Clinic, we help patients with diabetes monitor foot health, identify concerns early, and prevent small problems from becoming serious wounds.
The CDC recommends that people with diabetes check their feet daily and contact a healthcare provider right away for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, swelling, corns, calluses, or other changes to the skin or nails.
Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters
Diabetes can affect the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. Nerve damage may make it harder to feel pain, pressure, temperature changes, or early signs of injury. Poor circulation can slow healing, making even a small cut or blister more likely to become infected or turn into a serious wound.
Early foot care can help prevent complications, protect mobility, and reduce the risk of infection or hospitalization.
When to Call for Diabetic Foot Care
Please call for an evaluation if you notice:
- A cut, blister, sore, ulcer, or wound that is not healing
- Redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or increased pain
- Color changes in your feet or toes
- Tingling, burning, numbness, or loss of feeling
- Thick, curved, yellow, discolored, or painful toenails
- Calluses, corns, or pressure areas
- An ingrown toenail
- A fungal infection or cracking between the toes
The CDC specifically recommends seeing a foot doctor right away if you have sores on your feet or legs and diabetes-related nerve or blood vessel concerns.
Common Diabetic Foot Conditions We Help Monitor and Treat
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Slow-healing wounds
- Pressure-related sores
- Calluses and corns
- Ingrown toenails
- Thick, curved, painful, or fungal toenails
- Circulation-related foot concerns
- Skin changes, cracking, redness, or pressure areas
Medically Necessary Foot Care
Routine toenail trimming is generally not covered when it is only for comfort or cosmetic reasons. However, foot care may be considered medically necessary for qualifying patients when thick, curved, painful, or high-risk nails could lead to sores, infection, or other complications.
Medicare coverage depends on medical need, eligibility, and documentation. CMS notes that routine foot care is generally excluded from coverage, but exceptions may apply when certain systemic conditions or medical risks are present.
Patients should contact their insurance plan directly for coverage questions. Our team can help document medical necessity when appropriate.
Protect Your Feet. Protect Your Health.
To help prevent wounds and complications:
- Check your feet every day
- Keep skin clean and moisturized
- Wear properly fitting shoes and socks
- Do not remove calluses or corns yourself
- Trim toenails carefully, or ask about medically necessary foot care
- Control blood sugar
- Stay active to support circulation
- Avoid smoking, which can worsen circulation problems
The CDC recommends daily foot checks, properly fitting shoes, washing and drying feet carefully, and not trying to remove corns or calluses yourself
Schedule an Appointment
Do not wait until a small problem becomes a serious one. To learn more about diabetic foot care or schedule an appointment, call 208-756-5666.
Your insurance may require a physician referral or prior authorization before your appointment.
Steele Memorial Wound Care Clinic
Located at: Steele Memorial Specialty Clinic
Address: 805 Main St, Salmon, ID 83467
Phone: 208-756-5666
Fax: 208-756-6336
Clinic Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays