For people with diabetes, especially those with neuropathy, poor circulation or previous foot problems.
Foot problems can begin with something small: a blister from a different shoe, a crack in dry skin or a stone that was not felt. Diabetes-related nerve damage may reduce pain, and reduced circulation may slow healing. When weather changes, feet are often covered for longer and checked less often.
Quick answer
Check both feet every day, including the soles and between the toes. Wear clean socks and well-fitting shoes, moisturise dry skin but not between the toes, and avoid direct heat. Report a blister, cut, colour change, warmth, swelling, drainage or new pain promptly. People at higher risk need professional foot assessment and a plan for footwear and follow-up.
Key points
- Lack of pain does not prove a wound is minor.
- New seasonal shoes should be broken in gradually and checked inside before use.
- Do not treat corns or callus with sharp tools or chemical removers at home.
- A hot, swollen or discoloured foot needs prompt assessment.
Why cooler weather changes foot care
Closed shoes may rub different areas after months in sandals. Thick socks can crowd the toes. Indoor heating can dry skin, while hot-water bottles and heaters can burn numb feet. Reduced outdoor activity may also mean shoes are worn for long periods without breaks.
The ADA recommends at least annual assessment for peripheral neuropathy and regular foot evaluation, with more frequent review for people at higher risk. A 10-g monofilament test helps identify feet at risk of ulceration, but home inspection remains important between visits.
A daily two-minute foot check
Look
Use a mirror or ask for help if you cannot see the soles. Check for cuts, blisters, cracks, redness, swelling, drainage, nail changes and areas where footwear has rubbed.
Feel
Compare temperature and swelling between feet using your hand, not a hot object. New warmth can be important even when there is no pain.
Clean and dry
Wash in comfortably warm water and dry carefully, especially between the toes. If sensation is reduced, test the water with an elbow or thermometer rather than the feet. Do not soak your feet, because soaking can damage the skin.
Moisturise and protect
Apply moisturiser to dry tops and soles, avoiding between the toes. Put on clean, well-fitting socks and shoes. Check inside shoes for stones, torn lining or dampness.
Choosing autumn and winter footwear
Shoes should have enough depth and width, a secure fastening and a stable sole. Try them later in the day when feet may be slightly larger. Wear them for short periods at first and inspect the skin afterwards. Waterproof footwear still needs to fit and allow moisture management.
People with deformity, previous ulcer, amputation or significant neuropathy may need therapeutic footwear or podiatry input. Fashion boots that compress the toes or rub the ankle are not made safe by thick socks.
What to do when you find a problem
Stop and look closely. Remove the shoe or sock and check the size, depth, colour, warmth, swelling and any fluid. Do not keep walking on a blister or cover a wound with a corn plaster. Clean a minor superficial injury gently according to your care plan, protect it with an appropriate dressing and contact the service recommended for you.
A dated photograph may help a clinician compare change, but must not delay assessment. Do not probe or cut a wound, or wait for pain before seeking help. Contact your foot team or an urgent clinical service the same day about a new wound, blister or hot swollen foot. This is especially important with loss of sensation, poor circulation, kidney disease, a previous ulcer or amputation.
A shoe-fitting checklist
- Check that toes can move and are not pressed from the sides or above.
- Make sure the heel is secure without rubbing.
- Feel inside for seams, folds, stones or damaged lining before every wear.
- Try shoes with the socks or orthoses normally used.
- Wear a new pair indoors for a short period, then inspect the feet.
- Alternate pairs so damp footwear can dry fully.
Preparing for a foot appointment
Bring the shoes worn most often, a current medication list and details of any previous ulcer or surgery. Mention night pain, calf pain when walking, numbness, falls and changes in skin colour or temperature. Ask your risk category, how often review is needed, who to call for a new wound and whether podiatry or therapeutic footwear is indicated.
Keep the contact route on the refrigerator or in the phone, not only in a clinic leaflet. Foot services differ by location, and knowing whether to call primary care, podiatry, a diabetes team or an urgent service prevents delay when a new wound appears.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Warming numb feet directly against a heater or hot-water bottle.
- Cutting nails deeply into the corners.
- Ignoring a blister because it is small or painless.
- Walking barefoot indoors.
- Applying moisturiser between the toes where excess moisture may promote fungal infection.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a clinician check my feet?
At least annually for many people with diabetes, and more often if neuropathy, circulation problems, deformity, kidney disease or previous ulceration is present. Follow your risk-based schedule.
Can I use a corn plaster?
Chemical corn removers can damage surrounding skin and are risky when sensation or circulation is reduced. Ask a podiatrist or clinician.
What if my feet are always cold?
Cold feet can have several causes, including environment, circulation or nerve symptoms. Do not use direct heat. Seek assessment if there is colour change, pain, a wound or a new difference between feet.
When to get urgent help
Go to an emergency department immediately for a foot that suddenly becomes cold, pale or blue, suspected gangrene (black or dying tissue), or a foot wound with fever or signs of severe infection. Sudden numbness, weakness or severe pain is also concerning, but nerve damage can mask pain. Call your local emergency number if you are very unwell, confused, faint, having difficulty breathing or cannot get emergency care safely. These problems may threaten a limb or life; do not wait for a routine appointment or a reply from the usual clinic.
Contact your diabetes foot team or an urgent clinical service the same day for other new wounds, blisters, spreading redness, pus or a hot swollen foot, even without pain. Keep weight off a hot swollen foot until assessed. If you cannot reach the usual service, use urgent care.
The bottom line
Cooler-weather foot care is simple but important: look every day, keep skin intact, introduce shoes gradually and report change early. A painless wound can still be serious.
Related Living Diabetes guides
Sources and further reading
- CDC: Your feet and diabetes
- NICE NG19: Urgent referral for diabetic foot problems
- NHS: Gangrene and immediate emergency care
- NHS: Sepsis warning signs
- ADA Standards of Care 2026: Neuropathy and foot care
- CDC: Promoting foot health for people with diabetes
- CDC: Preventing diabetes-related amputations
This article is for general education and does not replace a professional foot assessment.