By Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M · Updated November 4, 2026
Get urgent medical care right away for any of these:
- An open wound that won't close or is getting deeper
- Discharge, pus or a bad smell from a wound
- Spreading redness, heat in the foot, or a fever
- A black area or dead tissue on the foot
Go to an emergency room or urgent care center. Don't wait for a clinic appointment, and don't try to treat it at home.
If you have diabetes and live in Israel, you can have your feet examined and treated in English. Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M, is a podiatric surgeon who sees patients with diabetic foot problems in private practice. About Dr. Karf and his clinics.
General information, not personal medical advice.
Why diabetes changes foot care
"Diabetic foot" is a general name for foot problems caused by long-term diabetes, mainly nerve damage (neuropathy) and reduced blood flow. Nerve damage means a cut, a blister or pressure from a shoe may not hurt, so it goes unnoticed. Reduced blood flow slows healing and raises the risk of infection. Together they can turn a small injury into a diabetic foot ulcer.
The risk is higher with long-standing diabetes, nerve damage, a past wound or amputation, blood vessel disease, or smoking.
Early signs to get checked
These need an exam even if they don't hurt. For a new wound or blister, or new redness, swelling, warmth or a change in color, contact a clinician the same day. For the signs at the top of this page, get urgent care right away.
- Redness or swelling, or a warm spot on the foot
- A scratch or blister that isn't closing
- Dry cracks in the heel, or a thickening corn or callus
- A change in color, a cold foot, or a change in the foot's shape
- Numbness, tingling or less feeling than before
Please don't treat it yourself
Cutting a corn or a callus, or cutting a nail too deep, can open a wound that becomes dangerous. Don't use corn or wart removal products yourself. Have the area assessed and treated by a clinician. If you find a problem, stop there and get it seen.
What a diabetic foot exam covers
The exam checks feeling in the foot and the pulses, and looks closely at your skin and nails, to find risks before they turn into a wound. Guidelines recommend it at least once a year, and more often if you have nerve damage, a past wound or blood vessel problems. Follow-up continues after a wound has healed, because wounds can come back.
How Dr. Karf treats diabetic foot problems
His approach is conservative, with close follow-up. That can mean careful professional removal of corns, calluses and warts, proper nail care, taking pressure off the problem area, and wound care. The goal is to keep the skin intact and prevent complications. Keep your diabetes doctor or kupah team in the picture, since blood sugar control and foot care go together.
Between visits: look every day
Checking your feet doesn't replace an exam, and it's how you catch a problem early. Look at them every day, including between the toes and under the foot, with a mirror or someone's help. Check inside your shoes before you put them on, and don't walk barefoot. If anything looks different, call.
Booking and payment
Call 03-5124026 or send a WhatsApp message. Say you have diabetes and would like the visit in English, name the city that suits you, and ask about the fee. Bring your medication list and any recent reports, including ones in Hebrew.
The practice is private, with no kupah (health fund) arrangement. Reimbursement from private insurance depends on your policy. If your kupah already follows your feet, this is an option alongside that care and not a reason to stop it.
Common questions
When is a diabetic foot problem an emergency?
An open wound that won't close or is getting deeper, discharge or a bad smell, spreading redness, heat or a fever, or a black area on the foot. Get urgent medical care right away.
Can I treat a diabetic foot wound at home?
No. Don't treat a wound, a corn, a callus or a wart yourself. Even a small wound can get worse quickly, and with nerve damage you may not feel it happening.
How often should I have my feet checked?
Guidelines recommend a full foot exam at least once a year, and more often if you have nerve damage, a past wound or blood vessel problems.
Does a foot problem need an exam if it doesn't hurt?
Yes. Nerve damage can hide pain, so a color change, numbness, cracked skin or a sore that won't heal all need checking even when nothing hurts.
Further reading: American Diabetes Association: Foot complications. Dr. Karf's full guide to diabetic foot is in Hebrew.
Pages in English: podiatrist in Israel · Jerusalem clinic · ingrown toenails · plantar warts · diabetic foot · heel pain
Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M, podiatric surgeon, graduate of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. More about Dr. Karf (in Hebrew)
Book a diabetic foot exam in English
Call 03-5124026 or send a WhatsApp message
