How does diabetes affect the feet?
Foot care is especially important for people with diabetes. Diabetic and vascular conditions can significantly impact foot health, leading to serious complications if left untreated. Regular foot care and monitoring are essential to prevent serious issues. Volunteer Podiatry can help manage and treat these conditions to maintain foot health.
Poor circulation
Diabetes causes blood vessels of the feet and lower legs to narrow and harden, leading to poor circulation, which is also often referred to as peripheral vascular disease (PVD). This can make it difficult to for your feet to fight infections and heal from even very small or minor cuts, scrapes, or sores. Some early warning signs of poor circulation can include pain or cramping in the backs of your legs when walking.
Nerve damage
Diabetes-related nerve damage is called neuropathy, which can inhibit your ability to feel pain, heat, or coldness in your feet. This loss of feeling can make it difficult for you to know when you’ve been hurt or injured, noticing only after the skin has broken down or become infected. While some people with neuropathy experience discomfort, such as burning, tingling, or pain in their feet or lower legs, many don’t have any symptoms and aren’t aware that there’s a problem.
Skin changes
Diabetes can cause the skin on your feet to become very dry, causing peeling or cracking. This problem is linked to nerve damage as it affects your body’s ability to control oil and moisture in your feet.
Calluses
People with diabetes tend develop calluses more often and at a faster rate. Over time, calluses can become very thick and eventually turn into open sores (or ulcers). Having too many calluses on your feet at once can also make it difficult to find properly-fitting, comfortable shoes.
Foot ulcers
Often occurring on the ball of the foot or bottom of the big toe, foot ulcers can be caused by a variety of things like untrimmed calluses or poorly fitting shoes. Ulcers can become quite painful, though, some may not hurt at all. Foot ulcers should be assessed by a podiatrist as soon as possible. Without prompt and proper treatment, ulcers can lead to infection, which can ultimately result in limb loss.
Limb loss
Complications related to neuropathy, poor circulation, infections, and foot ulcers make limb loss is a very real fear for people with diabetes. Diabetic foot care is important for monitoring foot health and preventing complications all together or stopping them from getting worse. Limb loss is mostly avoidable if you check your feet daily, wear proper footwear, and visit your podiatrist regularly for check-ups.
What is diabetic foot?
“Diabetic foot” is a term often used when patients develop one or more signs or symptoms of neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, poor foot structure, or wounds. Poorly managed diabetes and having diabetes for a long time can cause diabetic foot, as well as smoking, which can worsen diabetic foot.
Diabetic foot can be quite painful, ranging from mild numbness and occasional tingling to severe burning. Poor circulation can also cause a sharp pain, as well as loss of strength and ability to function.
Preventing diabetes-related foot problems
Daily foot care and proper diabetes management are key to maintaining your foot health. Working closely with a podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care, as well as adopting a good foot health routine can help you avoid limb loss or other diabetes-related foot complications.
Keep blood sugar levels under control
Work closely with your healthcare provider to properly manage diabetes. This includes setting a target for your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels and staying as close to that target as possible.
Check your feet every day
Inspecting your feet daily for any changes or injuries will help you avoid complications and catch problems early. Set a specific time each day for your daily foot check. You should also be thorough with your checks, choose a spot with good light, and make sure to check not just the tops, bottoms, and sides of your feet but also between toes.
Proper footwear
Wear footwear that offers plenty support and avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes. You should also stick to closed-toed, hard-soled shoes, which will protect your feet from anything that could cut your feet, as well as harsh weather conditions.
Wear the right socks
Change your socks daily and avoid those that are tight or have seams that could rub against or irritate your skin. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, or cotton-wool blends are often best. You may also consider wearing diabetic socks, which can:
- Improve blood flow
- Keep feet dry
- Deter fungal infections from reaching your feet
- Provide extra cushion
Choosing the right diabetic socks
We recommend wearing diabetic socks that have qualities like:
- Seamless or flat seams, which reduce rubbing and prevent blisters from forming
- Stretchy cuffs that won’t constrict blood flow
- Moisture-wicking fabrics that keep your feet dry
- Soft and extra thickness around the heel and ball of your feet
- Light color to make it easier to spot blood or other injury or infection signals
- Foot-conforming with no bunches or wrinkles
Keep your feet clean and dry
Use mild soap and warm water to keep your feet clean and avoid soaking for long periods of time as it can cause dryness. Pat feet dry and avoid rubbing as it can cause irritation and skin breakage. Sprinkling your feet with non medicated powder before putting on socks or shoes can help to keep your feet dry. Putting lotion or petroleum jelly on your feet after washing them can prevent cracking, but avoid putting it between your toes as it can lead to infection.