The short explanation
With diabetes, the nerves in the feet can become less sensitive over time, so small cuts, burns from hot stone floors, or blisters may not be felt. Reduced blood flow can make these heal slowly. That is why walking barefoot carries more risk for people with diabetes, though many still visit temples safely with some care. Before going, check your feet for any cuts or cracks. Walk carefully, avoid very hot surfaces where possible, and use mats or shaded paths. After returning, wash and dry your feet, especially between the toes, and look closely for any injury. Some temples allow socks; ask if this is possible.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Your doctor can test the sensation in your feet to see how much risk you have.
- Keeping sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control and not smoking help protect your feet.
- Moisturise dry, cracked heels but avoid putting cream between the toes.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you how much risk your feet have. A foot examination by your doctor is needed.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is the sensation in my feet normal?
- Is it safe for me to walk barefoot sometimes?
- What should I do if I get a small wound?
- How often should my feet be checked?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if a foot wound becomes red, swollen, hot, smelly or you develop fever.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days for any wound or blister that is not healing.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Have your feet checked at every routine diabetes visit.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Preventing diabetes problems National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH)
- Diabetes MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Type 2 diabetes NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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