Do You Have Diabetic Feet? What Can You Do About It?

Do You Have Diabetic Feet? What Can You Do About It?

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People with diabetes have high blood sugar levels and in the long run, it can cause many serious foot problems.

How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet?

If you do not take care of your diabetic self, it can cause poor blood flow and nerve damage to your feet in the long run.

This can lead to foot complications like blisters, diabetic foot ulcers, pain and foot infection.

Left untreated, severe foot infections can even lead to amputation.

Diabetes can cause two main foot complications such as

Diabetic neuropathy

This is when uncontrolled diabetes causes nerve damage which means you will lose feeling in your feet.

Because neuropathy prevents you from feeling a cut or sore on your foot, the wound may worsen and get infected.

Because nerves to the muscles have been compromised, the muscles on your foot may not function properly.

This may cause your foot to not align properly and put too much pressure on one area of your foot.

Peripheral vascular disease/Peripheral artery disease

Diabetes also has an impact on your blood flow. It takes longer for a sore or cut to heal if there isn't enough blood flow.

You're in danger of getting a foot ulcer or gangrene if you have an infection that won't cure because of the low blood flow.

Other Common Foot Problems That Can Be Worsened With Diabetes are

• Athlete's Foot
• Fungal Nail Infection
• Ingrown Toenails
• Blisters And Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Diabetic Ulcers
• Corns And Calluses
• Dry Skin
• Plantar Warts

There are other risk factors that can aggravate the effects of diabetes like

• wearing poorly fitting shoes and socks - this causes poor circulation or reduced blood flow
• foot injury
• bone infections

How do I know I need to seek professional help?

Foot symptoms amongst people with diabetes may vary depending on the foot problem but you may experience

• painful tingling
• numbness
• skin discolouration
• wound or blister and no pain
• red streaks
• ingrown toenails and other fungal infections of the feet

If you end up developing infected tissue, you can experience

• shaking or chills
• feeling very sick
• fever
• uncontrollable blood glucose levels

If you do experience symptoms of an infection, please contact us immediately for emergency treatment!

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy?

Always check your feet daily. You may not feel pain but you might spot problems if you do check your feet.

Wash your feet in warm soapy water every day. Don't soak your feet as it can dry your skin.

After you dry your feet, try using a lotion advised by your doctor. Then wear warm socks to retain moisture and protect your feet.

Ditch the tight socks and keep the blood flowing by wearing comfortable fitting socks and some therapeutic shoes recommended by your doctor.

Don't forget about your health care visit! Even though you can't see the problem yet, it's good to have a thorough foot exam to learn more about taking care of your feet.

Proper foot care is your priority. Make sure to contact your local foot doctor at Dr. Foot clinic to get your feet checked.

We are a team of qualified foot and ankle specialist who can help you develop your ideal diabetes self-care plan.

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