Diabetes and your Feet
How does diabetes affect the feet?
Having diabetes required you too look after your feet otherwise future foot complications can occur. Due to the increased sugar levels in the blood, diabetes can cause reduced circulation to the feet and damage to the nerves. A boney prominence, callus, corns or blisters can also increase the risk of foot related complications due to increased risk of pressure, infection and breaking down of good tissue under the skin. If left untreated, foot ulcers, wounds and amputations can occur.
What to look out for/when to get checked before it’s too late
- Changes to the skin, colour, hair and nail growth, temperature
- Feelings of numbness, tingling, pins and needles
- Ingrown toenail
- Bruises/blisters
- Unusual swelling
- Foot shape changing eg bunions, hammer toes, retracted toes
- Cracked skin on the foot and in between the toes
Diabetic foot complications
- Wounds
- Infections not healing
- Amputations
Why is visiting a podiatrist important?
A podiatrist is able to thoroughly check, screen and assess the health of your foot. Some screening tools include a hand held Doppler ultrasound, monofilament and tuning fork to check both blood supply and sensation to the feet. We recommend seeing a podiatrist yearly if not earlier.
What can I do at home?
- Check feet daily for any abnormalities of anything that doesn’t look ‘normal’ to your feet
- Moisturise feet daily
- Trim toenails straight
- Wear shoes and socks and check shoes before putting them on
- Do not hesitate to see a Podiatrist if you are concerned about anything, you may save your toe
More information -
- https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/foot-care
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/preventing-diabetes-problems/keep-feet-healthy
Having diabetes required you too look after your feet otherwise future foot complications can occur. Due to the increased sugar levels in the blood, diabetes can cause reduced circulation to the feet and damage to the nerves. A boney prominence, callus, corns or blisters can also increase the risk of foot related complications due to increased risk of pressure, infection and breaking down of good tissue under the skin. If left untreated, foot ulcers, wounds and amputations can occur.
What to look out for/when to get checked before it’s too late
- Changes to the skin, colour, hair and nail growth, temperature
- Feelings of numbness, tingling, pins and needles
- Ingrown toenail
- Bruises/blisters
- Unusual swelling
- Foot shape changing eg bunions, hammer toes, retracted toes
- Cracked skin on the foot and in between the toes
Diabetic foot complications
- Wounds
- Infections not healing
- Amputations
Why is visiting a podiatrist important?
A podiatrist is able to thoroughly check, screen and assess the health of your foot. Some screening tools include a hand held Doppler ultrasound, monofilament and tuning fork to check both blood supply and sensation to the feet. We recommend seeing a podiatrist yearly if not earlier.
What can I do at home?
- Check feet daily for any abnormalities of anything that doesn’t look ‘normal’ to your feet
- Moisturise feet daily
- Trim toenails straight
- Wear shoes and socks and check shoes before putting them on
- Do not hesitate to see a Podiatrist if you are concerned about anything, you may save your toe
More information -
- https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/foot-care
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/preventing-diabetes-problems/keep-feet-healthy
