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Foot Care for Numbness: Daily Checks That Protect Numb Feet
Foot care for numbness means checking both feet every evening, wearing shoes and socks at all times, and calling a provider about any cut, blister or bruise that has not started to heal after a few days. Nerve damage can hide pain. No capsule, Nervecept included, replaces these checks.
Written by the Nervecept label deskUpdated
Why it matters01
Why does foot care matter when your feet are numb?
Foot care matters with numb feet because you may not feel an injury. Nerve damage can cause tingling, pain or loss of feeling, so a pebble in your sock or a blister can go unnoticed and become infected (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
The CDC says nerve damage plus poor blood flow raises the risk of foot ulcers. An infected ulcer that does not heal can lead to amputation (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes).
The good news is that simple habits help. The CDC says you can prevent or delay nerve damage by managing blood sugar, practicing foot care at home, and getting regular foot and eye exams (CDC, Diabetes and Nerve Damage).
About half of people with diabetes have some nerve damage, most often in the feet and legs, and some have no symptoms at all (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes). So the habits below apply even when your feet feel fine.
Every day02
How do you check your feet every day?
Check your feet every evening, even if they feel fine. Look at the tops, soles, heels and between the toes (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes) (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
It takes about two minutes. Use a good light. If you cannot bend to see your soles, use a hand mirror or ask someone to look.
Look
Scan for cuts, blisters, bruises, cracks, redness and swelling.
Touch
Feel for warm spots. NIDDK lists skin that turns red, warm or painful as a reason to call (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
Shake out shoes
Check inside each shoe for pebbles and rough seams before you put it on.
Write it down
Note anything new, so you can describe it to your care team.
Shoes and socks03
Should you wear shoes and socks all the time with numb feet?
Yes, NIDDK advises wearing shoes and socks at all times, even indoors, when nerve damage dulls feeling in your feet (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
Bare feet on a hard floor can pick up a splinter or a cut that you never feel. A sock layer also reduces rubbing.
- Choose shoes that fit well and do not pinch. Your podiatrist can advise on fit.
- Check socks for bunched seams or holes that rub.
- Do not walk barefoot at home, at the beach or on hot pavement.
- Break in new shoes slowly and check your feet after each wear.
When to call04
When should you call a provider about a foot problem?
Call a provider for a cut, blister or bruise that has not started to heal after a few days, or for skin that turns red, warm or painful (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
The CDC says to call about an infected or non-healing foot sore, or about burning, tingling, weakness or pain that disrupts daily activities or sleep (CDC, Diabetes and Nerve Damage).
| You notice | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small cut or blister, just started | Keep it clean, check it daily, watch its progress | (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems) |
| Cut, blister or bruise not healing after a few days | Call a provider | (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems) |
| Red, warm or painful skin | Call a provider | (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems) |
| Infected or non-healing sore | Call your doctor promptly | (CDC, Diabetes and Nerve Damage) (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes) |
| Burning, tingling or weakness that disrupts sleep | Book a visit | (Mayo Clinic, Diabetic Neuropathy) |
New, spreading or worsening numbness, weakness, balance trouble, or a foot sore you cannot feel needs a medical visit. See when to see a doctor.
Nervecept: from $49 a bottle30 capsules · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 and 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsRegular exams05
How often should you see a podiatrist if you have nerve damage?
The CDC says to see a podiatrist at least yearly, and more often if you have nerve damage (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes).
Mayo Clinic also advises a thorough foot exam at least once a year for people with diabetes (Mayo Clinic, Diabetic Neuropathy). At the visit, the provider checks feeling, skin, circulation and shoes.
Every visit
Ask your doctor to look at your feet, and tell them about new symptoms.
Blood sugar06
Does blood sugar control protect numb feet?
Yes, for people with diabetes, keeping blood sugar in the target range is the main way to prevent or delay nerve damage (CDC, Diabetes and Nerve Damage).
Mayo Clinic gives an A1C goal below 7.0 percent for most adults, checked at least twice a year (Mayo Clinic, Diabetic Neuropathy). Your own goal may be different, so ask your care team for yours.
Over time, high blood glucose and high blood fats such as triglycerides can damage nerves (NIDDK, Diabetic Neuropathies). Foot checks protect the feet you have today, and blood sugar control protects the nerves for tomorrow.
Supplements07
Do neuropathy supplements for feet replace foot care?
No, neuropathy supplements for feet do not replace foot care. NCCIH found no evidence of benefit for diabetes or its complications from most supplements (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements).
Nervecept is a capsule supplement with eight label lines and 699 mg per capsule. We found no study of the product, and most research on its lines is about knee osteoarthritis (NCCIH, Glucosamine and Chondroitin) (NCCIH, Boswellia). It does not remove the need for the checks above. It also contains shellfish (crayfish).
If you decide to try it with your doctor's agreement, the label says one capsule a day with 8 oz of water, 20 to 30 minutes before a meal. Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed. The ingredient review and the supplements and medicines guide show how to weigh it.
FAQ08
Foot care questions
How often should I check my feet if they are numb?
Check them every day, in the evening, even if they feel fine (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes) (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems). Numb feet cannot warn you about a blister or cut, so your eyes have to do the work. Use a mirror for the soles.
Can I walk barefoot if my feet are numb?
No. NIDDK advises wearing shoes and socks at all times, even indoors, because you may not feel a pebble or a cut (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems). Choose well-fitting shoes and check your feet afterward for marks or sores.
What does a foot ulcer look like?
We found no source in our list that describes the look. The sources say to call about an infected or non-healing sore, or skin that turns red, warm or painful (CDC, Diabetes and Nerve Damage) (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems). When in doubt, call your provider.
Is a foot sore without pain still serious?
Yes. With nerve damage you may not feel pain from a sore, and an infected ulcer that does not heal can lead to amputation (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes). Any sore that is not healing after a few days needs a call (NIDDK, Diabetes and Foot Problems).
Do supplements help numb feet?
No supplement has a proven record for numb feet. NCCIH found no evidence of benefit from most supplements for diabetes or its complications (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements). Foot checks, blood sugar control and regular exams are the steps with sources behind them.
Which doctor should look at numb feet?
Start with your primary care provider, who can test for causes and refer you. A podiatrist is the foot specialist, and the CDC advises seeing one at least yearly if you have diabetes (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes).
Who wrote this09
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a licensed U.S. retail desk for Nervecept, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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