Medical Oncologist
Nerve side effects
Foot care with numb feet
Numb feet get injured without being noticed. A pebble in a shoe, hot bath water, a tight chappal strap or a trimmed nail corner can cause a wound that goes unfelt for days, and wounds heal slowly and infect easily during treatment. A daily look at the feet, closed well-fitting footwear and careful nail care prevent most problems.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
The short answer
How do you look after numb feet during and after chemotherapy?
By looking at them every day, because you can no longer rely on feeling them. A small stone in a shoe, bath water that is too hot, a tight chappal strap, a blister from new shoes or a nail cut too short can all cause an injury that goes unnoticed for days on numb feet. During treatment those injuries heal slowly and infect easily, especially when counts are low or if you also have diabetes.
A few simple habits prevent most problems: a daily foot check, closed well-fitting footwear indoors and out, testing water temperature with your hand or elbow, careful nail care, and moisturising dry skin. These habits matter as much as any medicine for people with numb feet.
Look, because you cannot feel
Check the tops, soles, heels and between the toes each evening. Use a mirror or ask a family member if you cannot see your soles easily.
Never walk barefoot
Not at home, not in the temple precinct, not on the terrace. Numb bare feet are easily cut, burned on hot floors, or bruised.
Report any wound the same day
Even a small blister or cut on a numb foot deserves attention during treatment, before it becomes an infection.
If you have diabetes, tell your team and your diabetes doctor that your feet are numb. Your foot care needs to be even more careful.The daily foot check
What to look for each evening
- Cuts, scratches and cracks
- Any break in the skin, especially cracks at the heels and between the toes, where infection often starts.
- Blisters and red patches
- Rubbing from shoes or straps shows as redness or blisters, often on the toes, heels and sides of the feet.
- Swelling or warmth
- One foot warmer, redder or more swollen than the other can mean infection or injury and needs checking.
- Nail problems
- Ingrown corners, redness around a nail, a lifting nail, or discoloured nails that are painful or discharging.
- Burns
- Blisters or red areas from hot water, hot floors or heating devices that were not felt at the time.
- Changes in skin colour
- Pale, blue or very dark areas, or skin that looks shiny and tight, which can signal circulation or pressure problems.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPractical
Everyday habits that protect numb feet
Simple, daily, and far easier than treating an injury.
Wash and dry carefully
Wash feet daily in lukewarm water, testing the temperature with your hand or elbow first. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Avoid
- Long soaking
- Hot water bottles and heating pads
Moisturise, but not between the toes
A plain moisturiser on dry heels and soles prevents cracks. Keep the skin between the toes dry to avoid fungal infection.
Choose shoes carefully
Closed, roomy, well-cushioned shoes with soft seamless socks. Check inside shoes for stones or rough seams before putting them on.
Avoid
- Tight straps and pointed shoes
- New shoes worn for long periods at once
Cut nails straight across
Trim toenails straight across and not too short, after bathing when they are softer. Ask for help if you cannot see or reach well.
Protect from heat and pressure
Keep feet away from heaters, hot floors and hot sand, and change position regularly if sitting or lying for long periods.
!
Get medical help the same day, or immediately, for any of these
A wound, blister or crack that is red, warm, swollen, painful or discharging · red streaks spreading up the foot or leg · a fever at or above your team's threshold with any foot wound, which needs the nearest emergency department immediately · a foot that becomes cold, pale, blue or very dark · a burn that blisters · sudden swelling of one foot or calf · a wound that is not healing. Say clearly that the person is on or has had chemotherapy, and mention diabetes if present.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you whether a particular foot problem is serious. Infections and circulation problems can start subtly, especially on numb feet and in people with diabetes. During treatment, the safe answer is to show any wound or change to your team.
It also cannot replace specialist foot care. If you have diabetes, thickened nails, corns, calluses or poor circulation, a podiatrist or diabetic foot clinic can provide safe care and advice.
Do not treat corns and calluses yourself
Corn plasters, blades and chemical treatments can cause wounds on numb feet. Ask your team or a podiatrist instead.
Traditional footwear needs care
Chappals, kolhapuris and sandals with thin straps can rub or let stones in. Choose closed footwear, especially for walking outside.
Family can help with checks
Older patients and people with poor eyesight or stiff backs may not be able to see their soles. A relative checking each evening makes the routine reliable.
Recovery does not remove the need for care
Even as numbness improves after treatment, keep checking your feet until feeling has clearly returned, and continue if some numbness remains.
Choose socks carefully
Soft cotton socks without thick seams or tight elastic tops protect the skin and avoid pressure marks. Change them daily, and wear them inside shoes rather than putting shoes on bare feet.
Look after your footwear too
Check shoes for worn soles, loose stitching or nails poking through, and replace them before they cause a problem. Break in new shoes gradually over short periods, checking the feet for redness after each wear.
What to do next
Start a daily evening foot check tonight, using a mirror or a helper. Wear closed, well-fitting shoes and socks at all times, test water temperature by hand, moisturise dry skin, cut nails straight across, and report any wound or change to your team the same day.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Commonly believed
Four ideas about numb feet
"If something was wrong with my foot, I would feel it."
Numb feet may not feel cuts, blisters or burns. A daily visual check is the only reliable way to catch injuries early.
"Walking barefoot at home is safe."
Home floors hide stones, sharp objects and hot surfaces. Closed footwear indoors protects numb feet from unnoticed injury.
"A warm soak will help my feet."
Numb skin can scald without being felt, and long soaks soften skin and encourage infection. Wash briefly in water tested by hand, and dry well.
"A small blister will heal on its own."
During treatment, small wounds on numb feet heal slowly and can become infected. Report them the same day and keep them clean and covered.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about foot care
How often should I check my feet?
Every day, ideally in the evening. Look at the tops, soles, heels and between the toes, using a mirror or asking someone to help if needed.
What shoes are best for numb feet?
Closed, roomy, well-cushioned shoes with firm soles and soft seamless socks. Check inside for stones or rough seams before wearing, and avoid tight straps.
Can I soak my feet in warm water?
Brief washing in lukewarm water tested by hand is fine. Avoid long soaks and hot water, which can scald numb skin and soften it, increasing infection risk.
How should I cut my toenails?
Straight across and not too short, after bathing when they are softer. If you cannot see or reach well, ask a family member or a podiatrist to help.
I found a blister I did not feel. What should I do?
Do not pop it. Keep it clean and covered with a non-stick dressing, remove the cause such as a tight shoe, and tell your team the same day.
I have diabetes. Is foot care different?
It needs to be even more careful. Diabetes slows healing and raises infection risk. Keep blood sugar controlled, check your feet daily, and ask about a diabetic foot clinic.
Can I use a corn plaster?
Best avoided on numb feet, as they can cause wounds. Ask your team or a podiatrist to treat corns and calluses safely.
When should I see a doctor about my feet?
The same day for any wound that is red, swollen, painful or discharging, spreading redness, a blistering burn, colour change, or fever with a foot wound.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Patient stories
Hear it from people we have treated
Every story is a video, in the patient's own words. Nothing here is a written testimonial.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer
- Cancer Research UK — Side effects of chemotherapy
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Chemotherapy
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Talk to us
Looking after numb feet?
Tell us what has been found so far and we will help you reach the right specialist. One helpline serves every CION centre.