Footcare for people with sight loss

Never walk indoors in bare feet, socks or tights. To avoid slips, always wear shoes or slippers.

Wear shoes that fit well. High-sided shoes with low heels, thin soles and a good grip are a good choice.

Wear slippers that have a good grip and fasten up. Loose or worn-out slippers may cause you to trip.

Make sure your socks fit properly, paying particular attention to the width for your foot and ankle.

Wash your feet every day in warm soapy water, but don't soak them as this might destroy your skin's natural oils. If you are vision impaired, the safest way to do this may be to simply have regular baths or showers, whichever you find easiest.

Sit in a chair to dry your feet thoroughly after washing them. Make sure they dry between the toes, which is where fungal infections like athlete's foot can develop. If your skin is dry, apply moisturising cream all over the foot, except for between the toes.

As well as changing your socks regularly, wear socks made of cotton, wool or bamboo which allow feet to breathe. If finding matching socks is difficult, buy multiple pairs in the same colour. Read our guide for more sight loss tips on dressing.

If you have a vision impairment it can be easier to accidentally cut the toes. Toenails that have been poorly cut can become ingrown and small cuts on the foot can become easily infected.

If possible, get your toenails cut by a friend or family member, or book an appointment with a podiatrist, which has the added advantage of frequent expert foot inspections. 

For example, for anyone in later life, many local Age UKs offer toenail-cutting services, which operate from a number of clinics. Visit ageuk.org.uk to find out more.

When inspecting your feet, it can help to use a magnifying mirror or a hand magnifier. And if you have a little sight, good lighting can really help. These days, it’s possible to buy illuminated mirrors and waterproof lights, though be careful of creating glare on reflective surfaces. 

If you can’t rely on your vision, don't forget your sense of smell. As unappealing as it might sound, an exceptionally bad smell on the feet is often associated with an infection. In fact, sometimes the smell changes before any other sign of an infection is present so it's important to use your nose.

Sit and lift a bare foot to your lap. Using your fingers, search your feet all over for irregularities, and any areas of pain. The back of the hand is more highly sensitive to temperature changes so use it to find any spots that are unusually warm, which may indicate an inflammation.